Martin Lightband
Encyclopedia
Martin Lightband was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Nelson
, New Zealand
. Born in Worcester
, England in 1831, he arrived at Nelson in 1842 on the Thomas Harrison with his parents, Mr and Mrs G W Lightband. Lightband was 10 years old when he arrived. He lived in Nelson almost his entire life, except for a brief stay in Christchurch
. His younger brother, G W W Lightband was killed in a canoe accident at Tahuna on 1 June 1909.
In 1896 Lightband started in business as a grain merchant.
On 25 April 1888 he helped found the Nelson Bowling Club. and his own lawn was used for matches until the clubs greens were completed later in 1888.
of 1870 provoked heated discussion in Nelson and a public meeting was called to condemn it. Lightband spoke in the budgets favour and the after further debate the meeting ended with those attending supporting the budget.
Lightband, in absentia, was put forward as a candidate for the 1871 election. He was described by Mr Burns, who nominated him, as a thorough hardworking, painstaking, straightforward businessman. Mr Tregea seconded the nomination. The candidates for election were Oswald Curtis
, Lightband, J C Richmond
, and Joseph Shephard
. Polling day was 6 February 1871. In his election campaign he spoke support for the Vogel Scheme
with the proviso that the money was spend wisely and for immigration provided it was to the betterment of the colony. He was also in favour taxing property and income, but not in favour of compulsory education due the financial constraints of the time. New Zealand was described as in a depression and heavily dependent on borrowing. The editorial of the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chroncile dismissed Lightband as
supporter, as did Curtis. Lightband was considered a Liberal
for supporting Vogel.
Lightband, together with Curtis were elected to represent Nelson. Lightband represented the City of Nelson
electorate from 1871 to 1872. On 25 August 1871 he was appointed to a Select Committee
to on the producing and manufacturing resources of the colony. Among one of the more unusual the recommendations of the Committee was encouraging German
migrants to come and grow beetroot
.
In September Lighband supported the abolition of grand juries
. Later during his term the Nelson-Foxhill railway
was approved for construction. Lightband supported its construction.
Despite being opposed to Stafford when elected and during his term in Parliament, Lightband spoke highly of him. Stafford to stated that he considered Lightband among the men he would like to see at the head of the colonies affairs.
. Lightband then wrote to the Evening Mail supporting the construction of wooden tramways within the area. The letter seemed to imply that he preferred these over conventional railways such as the proposed Nelson-Foxhill Line. The papers editor then responded suggesting that Lightband was vacillating and not standing for what he had said he would. In a letter to the editor a prominent citizen Wm Rout wrote expressing concern and dismay at Lightband's letter. Similar letters followed from others. Even the Colonist, which supported Lightband, expressed concern in its editorial, but noted that as Lightband was absent from Nelson they would need to wait for clarification. On his return at the end of January from the West Coast Lightband responded to his critics. He stated that in his opinion the proposed Nelson-Foxhill line would take a long time to construct and that his preference was for a more rapid opening up of the area, hence the wooden tramway. The debate continued with support for Lighband coming from outlying area's and opposition from within his electorate.
On 19 March 1872 the Colonist editorial announced Lightband's intention to sail for England via San Francisco in April of the year. It also stated that he would be resigning from Parliament. Whether his resignation and journey were because of the controversy or not is not stated. Sir David Monro
, Richmond, and David Luckie
stood to replace him. Lightband's letter of 16 April gave formal notice of his resignation and was published in Nelson Evening Mail.
on the steamer Phoebe on 16 April, the same day as his resignation. His journey to England was via Honolulu, San Francisco, thence overland to New York
. He intended to travel for about 9 months, promoting New Zealand. Lightband sailed from Auckland
on the 2,166 ton Paddle Steamer
Nevada on 21 April. News of his arrival in England was reported in the Nelson Evening Mail on 11 September. Citing a European Mail correspondent, Anglo Australian, it said that Lightband was dissatisfied with the Honolulu to San Francisco leg of his journey and hoped to find any novelty's in England that might advance New Zealand industry.
Lightband sailed from Galle on the P and O
1,790 ton steamship RMSS Behar on 28 October 1872. The ship encountered rough weather during its passage, arriving in King George Sound
on 14 November 1872. Lighband sailed with the ship to Melbourne
.
Given Lightband sailed from Galle to Australia on his return voyage, his most likely route would have been from Southampton
to Alexandria, Egypt
, overland to Suez
, and then steamship to Galle. If Lightband was feeling particularly prosperous he may have sailed through the Suez Canal, but it was more expensive and slower than the overland route by rail to Suez.
From Melbourne Lightband sailed to Bluff
on the 765 ton steam ship Albambra. It left Port Phillip
on 8 December 1872 and arrived at Bluff on 12 December 1872 along with his wife and child. They reached Nelson on 20 December.
In 1902 he was elected to the Nelson City Council
and remained a Councillor almost up until his death.
Lightband died peacefully in his sleep at his home "Wainui" on 1 August 1914, after suffering a stroke several days earlier. Lightband was 83.
"Wainui" was located in Nile Street East, Nelson and was built by his father. The family must have been relatively well off from quite early on, because Lightband's wife advertised for a female servant in 1859.
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Born in Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
, England in 1831, he arrived at Nelson in 1842 on the Thomas Harrison with his parents, Mr and Mrs G W Lightband. Lightband was 10 years old when he arrived. He lived in Nelson almost his entire life, except for a brief stay in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. His younger brother, G W W Lightband was killed in a canoe accident at Tahuna on 1 June 1909.
Business interests
Lightband worked in his fathers tanning business as a tanner. Later he went into partnership with Benjamin Jackson as boot, shoe, and leather merchants. In 1865 the partnership was dissolved and Lightband continued on his own in premises in Collingwood Street. In 1858 he was one of the founders of the Nelson Coal Mining Company and was involved in the development of the Pakawau coal mine. Lightband was elected a Director of the unsuccessful Culliford Gold Mining Company in 1869 and in 1870 was one of the provisional Directors of the Nelson Patent Slip Company.In 1896 Lightband started in business as a grain merchant.
On 25 April 1888 he helped found the Nelson Bowling Club. and his own lawn was used for matches until the clubs greens were completed later in 1888.
Political career
Lightband took a keen interest in Imperial, colonial, and local affairs. He was asked to stand in Wesport in 1867, but declined. The budgetGovernment budget
A government budget is a legal document that is often passed by the legislature, and approved by the chief executive-or president. For example, only certain types of revenue may be imposed and collected...
of 1870 provoked heated discussion in Nelson and a public meeting was called to condemn it. Lightband spoke in the budgets favour and the after further debate the meeting ended with those attending supporting the budget.
Lightband, in absentia, was put forward as a candidate for the 1871 election. He was described by Mr Burns, who nominated him, as a thorough hardworking, painstaking, straightforward businessman. Mr Tregea seconded the nomination. The candidates for election were Oswald Curtis
Oswald Curtis
Oswald Curtis was a 19th century New Zealand politician born in London, England on 20 January 1821. He was the son of Stephen Curtis and Eleanora LLewellyn. He migrated to Nelson in 1853, arriving on 18 June.- Mahomed Shah :...
, Lightband, J C Richmond
James Crowe Richmond
James Crowe Richmond was a New Zealand politician, engineer, and an early painter in watercolours of the New Zealand landscape.-Early life:...
, and Joseph Shephard
Joseph Shephard
Joseph Shephard was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand.He unsuccessfully contested the Waimea electorate in the 1867 by-election....
. Polling day was 6 February 1871. In his election campaign he spoke support for the Vogel Scheme
Julius Vogel
Sir Julius Vogel, KCMG was the eighth Premier of New Zealand. His administration is best remembered for the issuing of bonds to fund railway construction and other public works...
with the proviso that the money was spend wisely and for immigration provided it was to the betterment of the colony. He was also in favour taxing property and income, but not in favour of compulsory education due the financial constraints of the time. New Zealand was described as in a depression and heavily dependent on borrowing. The editorial of the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chroncile dismissed Lightband as
but a tyro in politics, and that his opinions are crude and but half formed.The papers editor supported Richmond, a Stafford
Edward Stafford (politician)
Sir Edward Stafford, KCMG served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.-Early life and career:Edward William Stafford...
supporter, as did Curtis. Lightband was considered a Liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
for supporting Vogel.
Lightband, together with Curtis were elected to represent Nelson. Lightband represented the City of Nelson
Nelson (New Zealand electorate)
Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson...
electorate from 1871 to 1872. On 25 August 1871 he was appointed to a Select Committee
Select Committee
A select committee is a committee made up of a small number of parliamentary members appointed to deal with particular areas or issues originating in the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
to on the producing and manufacturing resources of the colony. Among one of the more unusual the recommendations of the Committee was encouraging German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
migrants to come and grow beetroot
Beetroot
The beetroot, also known as the table beet, garden beet, red beet or informally simply as beet, is one of the many cultivated varieties of beets and arguably the most commonly encountered variety in North America, Central America and Britain.-Consumption:The usually deep-red roots of beetroot are...
.
In September Lighband supported the abolition of grand juries
Grand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
. Later during his term the Nelson-Foxhill railway
Nelson Section
The Nelson Section was an isolated, gauge, government-owned railway line between Nelson and Glenhope in the Tasman district of New Zealand's South Island. It operated for years between 1876 and 1955...
was approved for construction. Lightband supported its construction.
Despite being opposed to Stafford when elected and during his term in Parliament, Lightband spoke highly of him. Stafford to stated that he considered Lightband among the men he would like to see at the head of the colonies affairs.
Wooden tramway dispute
On 8 January 1872 the Nelson Evening Mail published and article suggesting wooden tramways in the Upper Buller DistrictBuller Gorge
The Buller Gorge is a gorge located in the northwest of the South Island of New Zealand. The Buller River flows through the deep canyon between Murchison and Westport. Land Information New Zealand lists two sections for the gorge, Upper Buller Gorge and Lower Buller Gorge. State Highway 6 runs...
. Lightband then wrote to the Evening Mail supporting the construction of wooden tramways within the area. The letter seemed to imply that he preferred these over conventional railways such as the proposed Nelson-Foxhill Line. The papers editor then responded suggesting that Lightband was vacillating and not standing for what he had said he would. In a letter to the editor a prominent citizen Wm Rout wrote expressing concern and dismay at Lightband's letter. Similar letters followed from others. Even the Colonist, which supported Lightband, expressed concern in its editorial, but noted that as Lightband was absent from Nelson they would need to wait for clarification. On his return at the end of January from the West Coast Lightband responded to his critics. He stated that in his opinion the proposed Nelson-Foxhill line would take a long time to construct and that his preference was for a more rapid opening up of the area, hence the wooden tramway. The debate continued with support for Lighband coming from outlying area's and opposition from within his electorate.
On 19 March 1872 the Colonist editorial announced Lightband's intention to sail for England via San Francisco in April of the year. It also stated that he would be resigning from Parliament. Whether his resignation and journey were because of the controversy or not is not stated. Sir David Monro
David Monro
Sir David Monro was a New Zealand politician. He served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1861 to 1870.-Early life:...
, Richmond, and David Luckie
David Luckie
David Mitchell Luckie was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand.- Background :Luckie was born in Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, on 5 October 1827. He was the son of Thomas Luckie, a merchant, and Mary Mitchell. Educated in Montrose he first worked in a mercantile office,...
stood to replace him. Lightband's letter of 16 April gave formal notice of his resignation and was published in Nelson Evening Mail.
Journey to England
Lightband sailed from Nelson to ManukauManukau
Manukau City was a large territorial authority in Auckland, New Zealand. The city was sometimes referred to as South Auckland, but this term did not possess official recognition and did not encompass areas like East Auckland, which was previously within the official boundaries of Manukau City...
on the steamer Phoebe on 16 April, the same day as his resignation. His journey to England was via Honolulu, San Francisco, thence overland to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He intended to travel for about 9 months, promoting New Zealand. Lightband sailed from Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
on the 2,166 ton Paddle Steamer
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
Nevada on 21 April. News of his arrival in England was reported in the Nelson Evening Mail on 11 September. Citing a European Mail correspondent, Anglo Australian, it said that Lightband was dissatisfied with the Honolulu to San Francisco leg of his journey and hoped to find any novelty's in England that might advance New Zealand industry.
Lightband sailed from Galle on the P and O
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
1,790 ton steamship RMSS Behar on 28 October 1872. The ship encountered rough weather during its passage, arriving in King George Sound
King George Sound
King George Sound is the name of a sound on the south coast of Western Australia. Located at , it is the site of the city of Albany.The sound covers an area of and varies in depth from to ....
on 14 November 1872. Lighband sailed with the ship to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
Given Lightband sailed from Galle to Australia on his return voyage, his most likely route would have been from Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
to Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, overland to Suez
Suez
Suez is a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez , near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal, having the same boundaries as Suez governorate. It has three harbors, Adabya, Ain Sokhna and Port Tawfiq, and extensive port facilities...
, and then steamship to Galle. If Lightband was feeling particularly prosperous he may have sailed through the Suez Canal, but it was more expensive and slower than the overland route by rail to Suez.
From Melbourne Lightband sailed to Bluff
Bluff, New Zealand
Bluff is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southern-most town in New Zealand and, despite Slope Point being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country...
on the 765 ton steam ship Albambra. It left Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
on 8 December 1872 and arrived at Bluff on 12 December 1872 along with his wife and child. They reached Nelson on 20 December.
Return to local politics
By mid May 1873 he was again advocating opening of access to the Buller-Reefton area to enable the exploitation of its mineral reserves. Then in July 1873 he wrote to the Editor of the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle supporting the establishment of a Municipality. In late July early August 1873 he had joined the outcry against proposed increased tariffs on goods, although he was in favour of using them to protect local industry.In 1902 he was elected to the Nelson City Council
Nelson City Council
Nelson City Council is a Unitary Authority that administers the Nelson Tasman or "Top of the South" region alongside Tasman District Council. Nelson City Council is one of only five Unitary Authorities in the country...
and remained a Councillor almost up until his death.
Lightband died peacefully in his sleep at his home "Wainui" on 1 August 1914, after suffering a stroke several days earlier. Lightband was 83.
"Wainui" was located in Nile Street East, Nelson and was built by his father. The family must have been relatively well off from quite early on, because Lightband's wife advertised for a female servant in 1859.