Arthur Osborne (politician)

Arthur George Osborne (14 March 1891 – 15 November 1953) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Arthur Osborne
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Onehunga
In office
15 October 1938 – 15 November 1953
Preceded byNew constituency
Succeeded byHugh Watt
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Manukau
In office
30 September 1936 – 15 October 1938
Preceded byBill Jordan
Succeeded byseat abolished
Personal details
Born14 March 1891
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died15 November 1953
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyLabour

Biography

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Early life and career

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Osborne was born in Christchurch in 1891. He lived most of his life in Northcote on the North Shore of Auckland. He first found employment as a boot maker before entering the fruit business.[1]

He was a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Foresters and held the highest office in the order, that of High District Chief Ranger. He likewise became a member of various local school committees.[1]

In his youth he was a keen athlete. He played rugby union, rugby league and soccer at competitive levels. He was later a representative member of the Waitemata Bowling Club, and won several trophies.[1]

Political career

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1936–1938 25th Manukau Labour
1938–1943 26th Onehunga Labour
1943–1946 27th Onehunga Labour
1946–1949 28th Onehunga Labour
1949–1951 29th Onehunga Labour
1951–1953 30th Onehunga Labour

In the 1925, 1928, and 1931 elections, he unsuccessfully contested the Waitemata electorate against the incumbent, Alexander Harris.[2][3][4] In the 1935 election, he unsuccessfully contested the Parnell electorate against the incumbent, Bill Endean of the Reform Party.[5]

From 1933 to 1936 he was a member of the Northcote Borough Council. He resigned upon his election to Parliament.[1]

He represented the Manukau electorate from a 1936 by-election (after the resignation of Bill Jordan) to 1938, and then the Onehunga electorate from 1938 to 1953, when he died.[6] He was succeeded in Onehunga by Hugh Watt.

Osborne was Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister from 1943 to 1949.[7] As Under-Secretary he was given responsibilities for the administration of New Zealand's island territories. In 1948 he represented New Zealand at the second session of the Cook Islands Legislative Council, initiating discussions with the island administration on issues of agricultural development, public health and education, leading to their improvement.[1]

Death

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In early November 1953, Osborne announced he was not seeking re-election and would retire at the 1954 general election due to ill health. His health had declined through the year and he spent most of October and November confined to his bed. Osborne died at his home in Onehunga on 15 November 1953 after a long illness, aged 62. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and four grandchildren. One son, Gordon Bert Osborne, had predeceased him; he was killed in action at Tobruk during World War II.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Mr Osborne Dies After Long Illness". The New Zealand Herald. 16 November 1953. p. 10.
  2. ^ The General Election, 1925. Government Printer. 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  3. ^ The General Election, 1928. Government Printer. 1929. p. 5. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Election Counts". Auckland Star. Vol. LXII, no. 291. 9 December 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Final Counts". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVI, no. 288. 5 December 1935. p. 8. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  6. ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 225.
  7. ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 84.

References

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New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Manukau
1936–1938
Vacant
Constituency abolished,
recreated in 1954
Title next held by
Leon Götz
Vacant
Constituency abolished in 1881
Title last held by
Maurice O'Rorke
Member of Parliament for Onehunga
1938–1953
Succeeded by