John Joyce (New Zealand politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Joyce
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| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Lyttelton |
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| In office 1887–1890 |
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| In office 1893–1899 |
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| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Akaroa |
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| In office 1890–1893 |
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| Preceded by | Alexander McGregor |
| Succeeded by | electorate abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1839 Penzance, Cornwall, England |
| Died | 1 December 1899 (aged 60) Lyttelton, New Zealand |
| Political party | Independent, then Liberal Party |
| Children | four sons and six daughters |
John Joyce (born in 1839 – died 1 December 1899) was an important politician in New Zealand. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for two different areas: Lyttelton and Akaroa. Both of these areas are located in the South Island of New Zealand.
John Joyce's Early Life
John Joyce was born in 1839 in a place called Penzance, which is in Cornwall, England. When he was just a boy, he started working in the deep sea fishing industry. This meant he spent a lot of time out on the ocean.
By the time he was 19 years old, he was already the master of a schooner. A schooner is a type of sailing ship. In 1854, he moved to Victoria, Australia. There, he worked for the Water Police in Williamstown, near Melbourne.
In 1861, John Joyce moved again, this time to New Zealand. He continued to work for the Water Police in Port Chalmers. Later, he became a clerk in the magistrates' court. This is a court where minor legal cases are handled.
After that, he joined a legal company called Howorth and Hodgkins in Dunedin. In 1873, he became a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court. This means he was qualified to argue cases in court and give legal advice. He then started his own legal company, Joyce and Adams, with a partner named Mr. J. A. D. Adams.
John Joyce moved to Canterbury in 1879. He opened his own legal offices in Lyttelton and Sydenham. He became involved in local government. He was elected to the Sydenham Borough Council and even served as the third mayor for that area. In 1885, he moved to Lyttelton and was elected to the Lyttelton Borough Council.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1887–1890 | 10th | Lyttelton | Independent | |
| 1890–1893 | 11th | Akaroa | Liberal | |
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Lyttelton | Liberal | |
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Lyttelton | Liberal | |
John Joyce served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He represented the Lyttelton area from 1887 to 1890, and again from 1893 to 1899. He also represented the Akaroa area from 1890 to 1893.
He was a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. This was a major political party in New Zealand during that time.
His Final Years and Legacy
John Joyce passed away suddenly on 1 December 1899. At the time, he was busy campaigning for the 1899 general election. He had started to experience heart problems. He saw a doctor that morning and was told to rest. Sadly, he died peacefully in his sleep later that evening.
His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in New Zealand at the time. Thousands of people attended to pay their respects. Because he had been involved with the Canterbury volunteer forces, he was given a full military funeral. The railways even estimated that they transported 400 soldiers and about 2500 other people to Lyttelton for the funeral.
John Joyce married in 1864 to a daughter of Mr. G. Coates, a jeweller from Christchurch. He was survived by his wife, four sons, and six daughters. Today, a street in Lyttelton is named Joyce Street in his honor.
