Oswald Curtis
Encyclopedia
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.
, the ship caught fire. All on board were rescued two days later by the brig The Ellen under Captain Pardon. The Ellen was sailing from Mauritius to Hobart. The ships position was given as 40°10′00"S 119°10′00"E. Those rescued were taken to Hobart, arriving there on 6 May 1853.
for a number of years, becoming its Superintendent
in March 1867 when Alfred Saunders resigned. He remained Superintendent until 1876 when the Provinces were abolished. Curtiswas also Member of Parliament for the City of Nelson
from 1866 to 1879 when he was defeated. During his term as a member of Parliament, for one month between 10 September and 11 October 1872 Curtis was Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, Post-Master General and Telegraphs Commissioner under the short lived Stafford administration.
As Superintendent, Curtis opened the Nelson Waterworks on 16 April 1868 and turned the first sod at Stoke for the cutting of the Nelson-Foxhill Railway
on 6 May 1873.
at Nelson. He was also Fellow of the New Zealand University and held a seat on its senate from 1870 to 1888.
Curtis was also the second President of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Mr A Fell.
He died at his residence "Highbury" in Nelson on 1 March 1902 aged 81.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 20 January 1821. He was the son of Stephen Curtis and Eleanora LLewellyn. He migrated to Nelson
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....
in 1853, arriving on 18 June.
Mahomed Shah
Curtis had been a passenger on the barque Mahomed Shah. The ship sailed from England for New Zealand on 15 January 1853. On 18 April, about 400 miles south of Cape LeeuwinCape Leeuwin
Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly mainland point of the Australian Continent, in the state of Western Australia.A few small islands and rocks, the St Alouarn Islands, extend further to the south. The nearest settlement, north of the cape, is Augusta. South-east of Cape Leeuwin, the coast...
, the ship caught fire. All on board were rescued two days later by the brig The Ellen under Captain Pardon. The Ellen was sailing from Mauritius to Hobart. The ships position was given as 40°10′00"S 119°10′00"E. Those rescued were taken to Hobart, arriving there on 6 May 1853.
Political career
He was a member of the Nelson Provincial CouncilNelson Province
The Nelson Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.-History:The Marlborough Province split away from the Nelson Province on 1 November 1859 because the majority of the income of the Provincial Council came from land sales in the...
for a number of years, becoming its Superintendent
Superintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
in March 1867 when Alfred Saunders resigned. He remained Superintendent until 1876 when the Provinces were abolished. Curtiswas also Member of Parliament for 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...
from 1866 to 1879 when he was defeated. During his term as a member of Parliament, for one month between 10 September and 11 October 1872 Curtis was Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, Post-Master General and Telegraphs Commissioner under the short lived Stafford administration.
As Superintendent, Curtis opened the Nelson Waterworks on 16 April 1868 and turned the first sod at Stoke for the cutting of 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...
on 6 May 1873.
Community service
Curtis had been, at various times, Magistrate, Warden, Coroner, College GovernorNelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
at Nelson. He was also Fellow of the New Zealand University and held a seat on its senate from 1870 to 1888.
Curtis was also the second President of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Mr A Fell.
He died at his residence "Highbury" in Nelson on 1 March 1902 aged 81.