William Sefton Moorhouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Sefton Moorhouse
Portrait of W. S. Moorhouse by Walter Armiger Bowring, circa 1900
2nd Superintendent of Canterbury Province
In office 24 Oct 1857 – Feb 1863
In office 30 May 1866 – May 1868
3rd Mayor of Wellington
In office 1875–1875
Preceded by	Charles Borlase
Succeeded by	William Hutchison
Personal details
Born	December 1825 Yorkshire, England
Died	15 September 1881 Wellington, New Zealand
Spouse	Jane Ann(e) Collins
Relations	William Barnard Rhodes (brother-in-law) John Studholme (brother-in-law) Thomas Henry Wigley (brother-in-law)

William Sefton Moorhouse (born around 1825 – died 15 September 1881) was an important politician in New Zealand. He was born in Britain and later became the second leader, or Superintendent, of the Canterbury Province. A Superintendent was like a governor for a specific region in New Zealand during that time.

Early Life and Career

William Moorhouse was born in Yorkshire, England, around December 1825. His father, William Moorhouse, was a magistrate. William trained to be a lawyer in London.

In 1851, he moved to Lyttelton, New Zealand, with his two brothers. He soon moved to Wellington and continued his law work there.

On 15 December 1853, he married Jane Ann(e) Collins in Old St. Paul's, Wellington. After a short trip to Australia, he returned to New Zealand. He lived in Lyttelton and then Christchurch. In Christchurch, he worked as a lawyer, a judge, a newspaper editor, and even owned ships!

William Moorhouse had three sisters who married well-known men. Sarah Ann married William Barnard Rhodes. Lucy Ellen Sykes married John Studholme. Mary married Thomas Henry Wigley.

William Moorhouse's Political Journey

William Moorhouse was very active in New Zealand politics. He worked both in the national government and in the local Canterbury region. He even became the Mayor of Wellington later in his life.

Serving in Parliament

Moorhouse was elected to the New Zealand Parliament many times. He first represented the Akaroa area in 1853. He continued to be a Member of Parliament (MP) until he passed away.

He represented several different areas during his time as an MP. These included Akaroa, Heathcote, Westland, Westland Boroughs, Christchurch, and Ashley.

In 1866, he won elections for two different areas, Mount Herbert and Westland. He chose to represent Westland.

Leading Canterbury Province

In 1853, William Moorhouse tried to get a seat on the Canterbury Provincial Council. He didn't win that time, but he was elected to the national Parliament instead.

In 1855, he was successfully elected to the Canterbury Provincial Council. He represented the Akaroa area.

Later, in October 1857, he became the Superintendent of Canterbury Province. This happened after the first Superintendent, James FitzGerald, resigned due to illness. Moorhouse won the election against Joseph Brittan by a large number of votes.

One of Moorhouse's biggest ideas was to build the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel. This was a very expensive and difficult project for a small colony. Other leaders thought it was too risky. But Moorhouse strongly supported it.

He served as Superintendent from 1857 to 1863. He then had another term from 1866 to 1868. After his first time as Superintendent, he continued to serve on the Provincial Council.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1875, William Moorhouse became the Mayor of Wellington. He passed away in Wellington on 15 September 1881, at about 56 years old. He had been ill with diabetes.

After a funeral in Wellington, his body was taken to Christchurch for another funeral and burial. The national Parliament stopped its work for a day to show respect for him.

He was survived by his wife, Jane, and their five children.

How William Moorhouse is Remembered

Many places in New Zealand are named after William Moorhouse.

• In 1904, a street in Christchurch was renamed Moorhouse Avenue. This street is important because it runs parallel to the railway line that leads to the tunnel he championed.
• The Moorhouse Range and Sefton Peak in the Southern Alps were named after him by Julius von Haast.
• Moorhouse and Sefton Streets in Wadestown, Wellington, also carry his name.
• A statue of William Moorhouse, created in London in 1885, stands in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. It helps people remember his important contributions to New Zealand.

Images for kids

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  Statue of Moorhouse in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens