16 Facts About Alexander Herdman

Sir Alexander Lawrence Herdman was a New Zealand politician.

Alexander Herdman served as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Police.

Alexander Herdman is known for his reforms of the civil service and for his hard line on law and order.

Alexander Herdman studied at Otago Boys' High School, and then gained a law degree while working part-time.

Alexander Herdman was admitted to the bar in 1894, and established a practice in Naseby the following year.

Alexander Herdman worked in Palmerston, where he joined the local Freemason lodge.

Alexander Herdman would retain his connection with the Freemasons over his career, eventually grand master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

Alexander Herdman eventually decided to abandon this by moving to Wellington in 1902, but shortly after he arrived, he was invited to return and stand as a parliamentary candidate in Mount Ida, the Otago electorate which encompassed Naseby.

Alexander Herdman was elected, and joined the unorganised group of independents who opposed the Liberals.

Alexander Herdman did not move back to Naseby, instead representing his seat as an absentee.

Alexander Herdman believed that the service was poorly organised and subject to political patronage, particularly under the government of Richard Seddon.

In Cabinet, Alexander Herdman served as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Stamp Duties.

Alexander Herdman is believed to have had a major role in the suppression of the Waihi miners' strike, and of the waterfront strike the following year.

Alexander Herdman served as a judge both in Christchurch and Auckland, and briefly acted as Chief Justice in 1929.

Alexander Herdman was officially an independent, although he had close links to the Democrat Party.

Alexander Herdman was unsuccessful, and subsequently retired to the Lake Okataina area.