Henry Holland (mayor)

Henry Holland CBE (7 December 1859 – 29 December 1944) was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party, and Mayor of Christchurch from 1912 to 1919.

For the New Zealand Labour Party politician, see Harry Holland.

Henry Holland CBE
Henry Holland in c. 1929
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch North
In office 1925 – 1935
Preceded by	Leonard Isitt
Succeeded by	his son Sidney Holland
31st Mayor of Christchurch
In office 1 May 1912 – 1919
Preceded by	John Joseph Dougall
Succeeded by	Henry Thacker
Personal details
Born	7 December 1859 Nafferton, East Yorkshire, England
Died	29 December 1944(1944-12-29) (aged 85) New Zealand
Resting place	Linwood Cemetery
Nationality	New Zealand
Children	Sidney Holland

Early life

Holland was born in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, England in 1859. His parents were the farmers Ann and Robert Holland, a farm laborer. The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1863 when Henry Holland was four, and settled in West Melton on an undeveloped farm. Holland received his education at a West Melton private school and the Halkett public school. He eventually began farming at Greendale on 100 acres in 1881. Four years later in October 1885, he married Jane Eastwood, a schoolteacher, in Christchurch; they would later have five sons and three daughters.[1][2]

Local government

Holland with cloak and mayoral chain; cartoon by David Low

Holland was made a Justice of the Peace in 1907, and in 1911 was elected to the Christchurch City Council for the Central Ward.[3] He was a friend of Tommy Taylor.[1]

The 1912 mayoral election was held on 24 April, and it was contested by the incumbent John Joseph Dougall, Holland, and Henry Thacker. Like the previous election in April 1911, the incumbent came last. Holland was successful with 4,127 votes, with Thacker and Dougall receiving 2,931 and 2,637 votes, respectively.[4] Holland was installed as mayor on 1 May 1912.[5] He was challenged in 1915 by Henry Sorensen.[6]

Holland was Mayor of Christchurch for seven years. The 1917 mayoral election was contested by Holland and the MP James McCombs along the lines of win-the-war (Holland) and anti-conscription (McCombs). The result was a crushing defeat of McCombs; Holland received 12,177 votes and McCombs received 5,381.[7] Holland retired from the mayoralty in 1919; the election was contested by three candidates.[8]

He was a board member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board and was chairman of the board from 5 June 1929 to 5 June 1930.[9][10]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1925–1928	22nd	Christchurch North		Reform
1928–1931	23rd	Christchurch North		Reform
1931–1935	24th	Christchurch North		Reform

Henry Holland was the Member of Parliament for Christchurch North from 1925 to 1935, when he retired.[11]

Holland and his wife, Jane (née Eastwood), were awarded the OBE for service in World War I. He was subsequently promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[12]

His son, Sidney Holland, was the 25th Prime Minister from 1949–1957.

Death

Holland died on 29 December 1944 and was buried at Linwood Cemetery.[13]

References

1. Watson, James. "Holland, Henry". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
2. James Watson. 'Holland, Henry', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1998. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4h32/holland-henry
3. "Municipal Elections". The Star. 21 April 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
4. "Mayoralty of Christchurch". The Press. LXVIII (14338). 25 April 1912. p. 7. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
5. "Christchurch". The Press. LXVIII (14344). 2 May 1912. p. 10. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
6. "Obituary: Mr. H. B. Sorensen". The Press. LIX (17762). 14 May 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
7. "Christchurch Mayoralty". Otago Daily Times (16988). 26 April 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
8. "Thacker's Triumph" (725). NZ Truth. 10 May 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
9. "New chairman: Lyttelton Harbour Board". Ashburton Guardian. 49 (197). 6 June 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
10. "One year tenure: harbour chairman". Ashburton Guardian. 50 (199). 5 June 1930. p. 3. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
11. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 205. OCLC 154283103.
12. "Official jubilee medals". Evening Post. CXIX (105). 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
13. "Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 3 May 2011.

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Leonard Isitt	Member of Parliament for Christchurch North 1925–1935	Succeeded by Sidney Holland
Political offices
Preceded by John Joseph Dougall	Mayor of Christchurch 1912–1919	Succeeded by Henry Thacker
Preceded by Robert Galbraith	Chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board 1929–1930	Succeeded by Tim Armstrong