Background
Buckland was born in 1847 and was a son of William Thorne Buckland.
Buckland was born in 1847 and was a son of William Thorne Buckland.
Frank Buckland received private tuition, and attended Parnell Grammar School and Street John"s College.
John Channing Buckland was an elder brother. He trained as a civil engineer and was employed by the engineer"s department of the Auckland Provincial Council, before joining the Colonial Survey as a surveyor. He then became mine manager in Thames.
He also trained in law and was called to the bar in 1884.
Buckland held various public offices in Remuera between 1873 and 1880. Buckland was one of four candidates who contested the Franklin North electorate in the 1881 election.
Early in 1882, Buckland petitioned to the courts against the election on various grounds. The case was heard by the Chief Justice, James Prendergast, and Justice Gillies, who declared the election void.
In the 1884 election, Buckland defeated Harris in Franklin North.
In the 1887 election, Buckland was defeated by the liberal politician Frank Lawry. Buckland then represented the Manukau electorate from 1890, when he defeated long-term Member of Parliament Maurice O"Rorke. In 1893, O"Rorke defeated him in turn.
He again contested the Manukau electorate in the 1896 election, but could not beat the incumbent, Sir Maurice O"Rorke.
He tried again in 1899, when four candidates contested the electorate, but O"Rorke remained successful. He was mayor of Cambridge 1898–1903 and 1905–1910.
He practised law in Cambridge. He died on 29 December 1915.
He was beaten by Captain Benjamin Harris, who had since 1879 been one of the two members of the Franklin electorate, by just two votes.