Career
Born in Ulleskelf in Yorkshire, Kirkbride arrived in New Zealand in July 1863. Kirkbride was one of the people who persuaded Massey in 1893 to stand for Parliament. Massey was beaten in Franklin that year, but was successful in an 1894 by-election.
Kirkbride was elected to the Manukau electorate in the 1902 election, when he defeated the incumbent, Maurice O"Rorke.
He held the Manukau electorate until he died in 1906.
