Edward Moss (politician) facts for kids
Edward George Britton Moss (born 1856, died 1916) was a politician in New Zealand. He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was known as an Independent Liberal, meaning he didn't always follow a specific party's rules.
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Edward Moss's Life and Work
Edward Moss was born in 1856 on a small island called Saint Helena in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. When he was just three years old, in 1859, he moved to New Zealand on a ship called the Zealandia.
Early Life and Education
Edward went to school in New Zealand. He studied at Otago Boys' High School and also at the Church of England Grammar School in Parnell, Auckland. After finishing school, he became a lawyer in a town called Paeroa.
Edward's father, Frederick Moss, was also a politician. He was a Member of Parliament for the Parnell area from 1878 to 1890.
His Time in Politics
Edward Moss wanted to represent the people of the Ohinemuri area in Parliament.
- In the 1899 election, he tried to win a seat but was defeated by another politician named Jackson Palmer.
- However, in the next election in 1902, Edward Moss won! He became the Member of Parliament for Ohinemuri.
- During his time in Parliament, Edward Moss was an Independent Liberal. This meant he didn't always agree with the main Liberal Party or its leader, Richard Seddon, who was the Premier (like a Prime Minister) at the time. Edward Moss often spoke out against Seddon's ideas.
- In the 1905 election, Edward Moss lost his seat to Hugh Poland, who was from the Liberal Party.
Beyond Politics: A Scholar and Naturalist
Edward Moss was interested in many things besides politics.
- He was a Māori scholar, meaning he studied the Māori language and culture.
- He was also a natural historian, someone who studies nature.
- Edward was especially interested in shells! He was a conchologist, which is a person who studies seashells.
Edward Moss lived the later part of his life in a house called Claybrook in Parnell, Auckland. This house is now recognized as an important historical building by Heritage New Zealand. Edward Moss passed away at his home on March 9, 1916.
Edward Moss's Book
Edward Moss wrote a book about his passion for shells:
- Beautiful shells of New Zealand : an illustrated work for amateur collectors of New Zealand marine shells, with directions for collecting and cleaning them. This book was published in 1908.
