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Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z.

Bay of Plenty Seat

Bay of Plenty Seat.

The holders of the Bay of Plenty seat have been:

William Donald Stuart MacDonald (born at Meningwort, Victoria, in 1862) came to Poverty Bay in 1882. He was one of the district's best horsemen. After engaging in shepherding for some years he became overseer of Ngatapa station. He then managed Papatu and, later, A. C. Arthur's properties at Matawhero and Whatatutu. From 1890 till 1902 he was manager for W. Busby at Tokomaru Bay. He then took up Lorne station on his own account. He served on Waiapu County Council, Tokomaru Harbour Board and Waiapu Hospital Board, and was the first chairman of Waikohu County Council. Upon entering Parliament for the page 359 Bay of Plenty in 1908 he became known as “Fighting Mac.” The Ward Ministry appointed him its Junior Whip. In the short-lived Mackenzie Ministry in 1912 he held the portfolios of Public Works and Native Affairs. Three years later he became Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Mines in the National (War-time) Ministry. He died on 31 August, 1920.

Kenneth Stuart Williams (born at the Bay of Islands in 1870) was a son of J. W. Williams and a grandson of Archdeacon Henry Williams. In 1894 he took up sheepfarming at Matahiia (E.C.). He served on Waiapu County Council, Tokomaru Bay Harbour Board, and Waiapu Hospital Board, was one of the promoters of the Tokomaru Bay freezing works, and assisted to establish the Waiapu soldiers' settlement. He was a warm supporter of the turf, cricket, rugby and other sports. On three occasions he was elected unopposed for the Bay of Plenty seat. In the Coates Cabinet he was Minister for Public Works. His death occurred at a gathering of his supporters at Opotiki on 25 November, 1935.

Lieutenant Axel Gordon Hultquist was one of the youngest members to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament. He had been president and secretary of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council. He was an early volunteer for service in the Second World War and took part in the campaigns in Greece and Crete. He died in Egypt from influenza on 1 November, 1941.