John Holmes (New Zealand politician)

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1881–1884 8th Christchurch South Independent
1884–1887 9th Christchurch South Independent

John Holmes (1838 – 3 July 1907) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from Christchurch in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.

Holmes was born in Ireland in 1838, and emigrated first to Victoria and then to New Zealand.[1]

He represented the Christchurch South electorate from 1881 to 1887, when he retired.[2]

Holmes was a barrister and solicitor in Christchurch.[3] He set up a law firm in 1868. He later went into partnership with Andrew Loughrey. The firm is today known as Lane Neave.[4]

In the 1884 election, he was challenged by Thomas Joynt, whom he defeated with 638 votes to 600.[5]

Holmes lived in retirement on his estate, "Viewmount", near Methven. He later returned to live in Christchurch, where he died on 3 July 1907.[1] He was buried in Methven Cemetery.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Obituary: Mr John Holmes". Lyttelton Times. Vol. 96, no. 14416. 5 July 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 206. OCLC 154283103.
  3. ^ "Mr. John Holmes". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Lane Neave celebrates 150 years". Lane Neave. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ^ "The General Election, 1884". National Library. 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Methven". The Press. Vol. 63, no. 12851. 9 July 1907. p. 9. Retrieved 15 January 2023.