Benjamin Harris

Background

Harris was born at Lisburn, Ireland in 1836.

Career

In 1893 he appears to have been a Liberal Party supporter. The family migrated to England, Canada, and Australia, before settling in New Zealand in East Tamaki in 1847. Early in his life, he had a farm in Pukekohe.

He represented the Ramarama electorate on the Auckland Provincial Council from October 1874 until the abolition of provincial councils two years later.

He represented South Auckland electorates. Franklin from 1879 to 1881.

And then the replacement electorate of Franklin North from 1881. In 1884 he was defeated.

He contested the 1890 election in the reconstituted Franklin electorate, but was defeated by Ebenezer Hamlin.

Harris then represented the Franklin electorate from 1893 to 1896, when he was again defeated, by future Prime Minister William Massey. On 3 February 1897, he was appointed to the Legislative Council. At the end of the seven-year terms, he was reappointed in 1904, 1911 and 1918.

He resigned on 20 June 1923.

Late in his life, he lived in Clyde Street in Epsom. He died at his home, Taumaihi, on 12 February 1928 and was buried at Pukekohe Cemetery.

Achievements

• His 1881 election was declared void in 1882, but he won the subsequent 1882 by-election.