James McGowan (politician)

James McGowan (1841 – 7 May 1912) was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party.

The Honourable

James McGowan
James McGowan in 1908
16th Minister of Justice
In office
23 January 1900 – 6 January 1909
Prime MinisterRichard Seddon
William Hall-Jones
Joseph Ward
Preceded byThomas Thompson
Succeeded byJohn Findlay
2nd Minister of Police
In office
23 January 1900 – 6 January 1909
Prime MinisterRichard Seddon
William Hall-Jones
Joseph Ward
Preceded byThomas Thompson
Succeeded byJohn Findlay
3rd Minister of Industries and Commerce
In office
23 November 1906 – 6 January 1909
Prime MinisterJoseph Ward
Preceded byJoseph Ward
Succeeded byThomas Mackenzie
18th Minister of Immigration
In office
6 August 1906 – 9 January 1909
Prime MinisterJoseph Ward
Preceded byCharles H. Mills
Succeeded byGeorge Fowlds
9th Minister of Mines
In office
21 December 1899 – 6 January 1909
Prime MinisterRichard Seddon
William Hall-Jones
Joseph Ward
Preceded byAlfred Cadman
Succeeded byRoderick McKenzie
New Zealand Legislative Councillor
In office
6 January 1909 – 7 May 1912
Nominated byJoseph Ward
Appointed byThe Lord Plunket
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Thames
In office
26 July 1893 – 6 January 1909
Preceded byAlfred Cadman
Succeeded byEdmund Taylor
Personal details
Born1841
Maxwell's Court, County Down, Ireland
Died7 May 1912 (aged 70–71)
Political partyLiberal Party

Biography

McGowan was born in Maxwell's Court, County Down, Ireland, in 1841. He emigrated to Auckland in 1865 on the ship Liverpool. After five years, he moved to Thames, where he had a large store and a bakery.[1]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1893 11th Thames Liberal
1893–1896 12th Thames Liberal
1896–1899 13th Thames Liberal
1899–1902 14th Thames Liberal
1902–1905 15th Thames Liberal
1905–1908 16th Thames Liberal
1908–1909 17th Thames Liberal

He was Mayor of Thames in 1889, and in 1892–1893.[2]

He represented the Thames electorate in Parliament from an 1893 by-election. The by-election was caused after the resignation of Liberal Party MP Alfred Cadman. The Liberals selected the incumbent Mayor of Thames, James McGowan as their candidate for Cadman's seat. After a large public gathering, it was decided not to run another candidate against McGowan in light of a general election being only months away, resulting in McGowan being elected unopposed.[3]

From 1896 until 1900 he was the Liberal Party's junior whip.[4]

He was Minister of Justice and Minister of Mines from 23 January 1900 in the Liberal Government. From 6 August 1906, he was Minister of Immigration. From 23 November 1906, he was Minister of Industries and Commerce. He held all ministerial posts until his resignation from the lower house.[5]

He resigned on 6 January 1909[6] so that he could be appointed to the Legislative Council on that same day, where he served until his death.[7]

Notes
  1. Cyclopedia Company Limited (1902). "The Hon. James McGowan". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Auckland Provincial District. Christchurch: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  2. "Mayors and Councillors of Thames". The Treasury. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  3. "New Zealand Telegrams". Grey River Argus. 24 July 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  4. Wilson 1985, pp. 279.
  5. Scholefield 1950, pp. 41–42.
  6. Scholefield 1950, p. 122.
  7. Scholefield 1950, p. 80.

References
  • Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
Political offices
Preceded by
Thomas Thompson		 Minister of Justice
1900–1909		 Succeeded by
John Findlay
Minister of Police
1900–1909
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Alfred Cadman		 Member of Parliament for Thames
1893–1909		 Succeeded by
Edmund Taylor


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