Sir Harry Atkinson | |
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10th Premier of New Zealand | |
In office 1 September 1876 – 13 October 1877 | |
Monarch | Victoria |
Governor | George Phipps William Jervois William Onslow |
Preceded by | Julius Vogel |
Succeeded by | Sir George Grey |
In office 25 September 1883 – 16 August 1884 | |
Preceded by | Frederick Whitaker |
Succeeded by | Robert Stout |
In office 28 August 1884 – 3 September 1884 | |
Preceded by | Robert Stout |
Succeeded by | Robert Stout |
In office 8 October 1887 – 24 January 1891 | |
Preceded by | Robert Stout |
Succeeded by | John Ballance |
7th Speaker of the Legislative Council | |
In office 23 January 1891 – 28 June 1892 | |
Preceded by | George Waterhouse |
Succeeded by | Henry Miller |
Personal details | |
Born | Harry Albert Atkinson 1 November 1831 Broxton, Cheshire, England |
Died | 28 June 1892 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 60)
Resting place | Karori Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand |
Political party | None |
Spouses | Amelia Jane Skinner
(m. 1856; died 1865)Ann Elizabeth Smith (m. 1867) |
Children | 7 |
Relatives | Arthur Atkinson (brother) Maria Atkinson (sister-in-law) William Richmond (brother-in-law) Harry Atkinson (grandson) Torchy Atkinson (grandson)[1] Monica Brewster (granddaughter) Arthur Atkinson (nephew) Harry Atkinson (nephew) Mary Richmond (niece) |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Colony of New Zealand |
Rank | Major |
Unit | Taranaki Rifle Volunteers |
Sir Harry Albert Atkinson KCMG (1 November 1831 – 28 June 1892) served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding the country during a time of economic depression, and was known as a cautious and prudent manager of government finances, though distrusted for some policies such as his 1882 National Insurance (welfare) scheme and leasehold land schemes. He also participated in the formation of voluntary military units to fight in the New Zealand Wars, and was noted for his strong belief in the need for seizure of Māori land.