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John Martin (New Zealand politician)

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John Martin
Martin in circa 1880
Born(1822-11-11)11 November 1822
Died17 May 1892(1892-05-17) (aged 69)
NationalityNew Zealander
Known fornaming Martinborough in his namesake

John (Johnny) Martin (1822 – 17 May 1892) was a "labourer, carter, merchant, politician, runholder, [and] land speculator".[1]

Early life

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Martin was born in Moneymore, County Londonderry, Ireland on 11 November 1822. His family travelled to New Zealand on Lady Nugent, eventually landing at Port Nicholson, on 17 March 1841.[1]

Political career

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Martin was made a justice of the peace by William Fitzherbert in 1876, and in 1878 was called to the New Zealand Legislative Council by Premier George Grey.[1]

He was to be a member of the Legislative Council from 25 July 1878 to 17 May 1892, when he died.[2] During his 14-year career in the Legislative Council, he only spoke four times, and came to be known as the "silent member".[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Roberta Nicholls (1993). "Story: Martin, John". Te Ara. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  2. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 159. OCLC 154283103.