26 Facts About Edward Richardson

Edward Richardson was a New Zealand civil and mechanical engineer, and Member of Parliament.

Edward Richardson's parents were Elizabeth Sarah Miller and her husband Richard Richardson.

In 1861, Edward Richardson emigrated to New Zealand to carry out the contract of building the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel.

Edward Richardson married Frances Mary Elizabeth Corke at Holy Trinity Avonside on 27 April 1864.

Edward Richardson trained as a civil engineer and worked for the London and South Western Railway.

Edward Richardson then trained as a mechanical engineer while working for the Great Southern and Western Railway in Ireland.

Whilst the price submitted by Holmes and Edward Richardson was the highest of three tenders, Moorhouse engaged them as he had confidence in their technical ability.

Edward Richardson arrived in Lyttelton on the Prince Alfred in 1861 with 35 navvies and sufficient materials and equipment to begin the first stage of the railway between Christchurch and Ferrymead.

Edward Richardson was elected onto the 6th Canterbury Provincial Council in May 1870 for the Town of Lyttelton electorate.

Edward Richardson was re-elected in March 1874 for the 7th Council and held this role until the abolition of provincial government in October 1876.

Edward Richardson came second in this three-member electorate and was thus returned.

Edward Richardson came fourth in the September 1879 election for the three-member Christchurch electorate.

Edward Richardson petitioned against George Grey's return on technical grounds, as Grey had already been elected in the Thames electorate.

The City of Christchurch electorate was abolished at the end of the 7th session of parliament, and Edward Richardson stood in Lyttelton in the 1881 election.

Edward Richardson was narrowly defeated by Harry Allwright, who had a majority of 11 on Richardson.

Edward Richardson stood in the 6 April 1883 by-election in the Selwyn electorate, coming second.

Edward Richardson then stood in the 16 May 1884 by-election in the Kaiapoi electorate.

Edward Richardson was re-elected in the 1887 general election and represented Kaiapoi until the 1890 election, when he retired from the lower house.

In October 1872, Edward Richardson became a member of the Waterhouse Ministry, and held the portfolio of Public Works.

Edward Richardson retained that position in the successive Fox, Vogel, Pollen and Atkinson ministries.

Edward Richardson was ranked third in cabinet below Robert Stout and Vogel.

Edward Richardson was appointed to the Legislative Council on 15 October 1892 and remained a member until 15 October 1899, when his term ended.

Edward Richardson bought the land around the Opawa railway station plus an adjacent 13 acres in 1871 and built his residence, The Hollies.

Edward Richardson was affected by the recession in the late 1880 and in 1889, the Bank of New Zealand repossessed the house and land, and onsold it to sheep farmer John Robert Campbell.

Edward Richardson was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1879 Birthday Honours.

Edward Richardson died in Wellington on 26 February 1915, and was survived by a son from his marriage with Margaret, and four sons and two daughters from his marriage with Frances, one of whom was the artist Mollie Tripe.