Kenneth Williams

Background

Williams was born in Pakaraka in the Bay of Islands in 1870.

Education

He was educated at Heretaunga School in Hastings and Christ"s College in Christchurch.

Career

He was Minister of Public Works from 1926 to 1928 in the Reform Government. He was a grandson of the missionary Henry Williams and of James Busby. In 1903-1909, he was chairman of Waiapu County.

He was elected unopposed three times.

In 1922, 1925 & 1931. In 1928 he was opposed by Alexander Moncur for Labour.

He was Minister of Public Works (12 June 1926 – 10 December 1928) in the Reform Government under Gordon Coates, and briefly Minister of Lands, and Commissioner of State Forests (28 November 1928 – 10 December 1928).

Achievements

• He won the Bay of Plenty electorate in a 1920 by-election after the death of the previous Member of Parliament, William MacDonald. And held it until 1935.

Politics

In 1934, he had decided to retire at the end of the term because of health problems from an accident, but died on 25 November 1935 at a garden party held in his honour, just two days before the 1935 general election.