Robert Beatson Ross (23 September 1867 – 16 January 1949) was a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

Early life and family

Ross was born on 23 September 1867 at Otama Station, near

Waikaia Waikaia, formerly known as Switzers, is a town in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island. From 1909 until 1959, it was the terminus of the Waikaia Branch railway. The population in the 2013 census was 99, unchanged from the previo ...

in Southland, the son of Robert Ross. He was educated at

Dunedin High School Dunedin High School is a high school in Dunedin, Florida, United States. It is operated by the Pinellas County School Board. The school mascot is Freddie the Falcon. The official school colors are red and white, though red and black have become ...

and joined the Railway Department as a clerk and telegraphist in 1883. He was subsequently appointed the postmaster and stationmaster for Dipton at 1888, and later held similar positions at Te Aroha and

Lincoln Junction Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincoln ...

. Upon the death of his father in 1902 he left the railway service, then went to live on his farm at Riversdale. In 1903, Ross sold his farm interest and attained work with the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, setting up practice in Woodville, Hawke's Bay. Ross married Catherine Elizabeth Ryan in 1889, and the couple went on to have four daughters and one son.

Member of Parliament

While living in Southland, Ross unsuccessfully contested the Wakatipu seat in

1902 Events January * January 1 ** The Nurses Registration Act 1901 comes into effect in New Zealand, making it the first country in the world to require state registration of nurses. On January 10, Ellen Dougherty becomes the world's f ...

. He won the

Pahiatua , image_skyline = Market day pahiatua 1st dec 2007 1.JPG , imagesize = , image_caption = , image_flag = , flag_size = , image_seal = , seal_size = , image_shi ...

electorate in the 1905 general election, and held it until

1911 A notable ongoing event was the Comparison of the Amundsen and Scott Expeditions, race for the South Pole. Events January * January 1 – A decade after federation, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory ...

, when he was defeated by

James Escott James Henry Escott (17 April 1872 – 28 July 1916) was a Reform Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Escott was born in Orepuki and moved to Woodville when he was 18. He fought in the Boer War. He won the Pahiatua electorate in 1 ...

. He later attempted to regain the seat in the

1916 Pahiatua by-election The Pahiatua by-election of 1916 was a by-election held in the electorate during the 19th New Zealand Parliament, on 17 August 1916. It was caused by the death of incumbent MP James Escott James Henry Escott (17 April 1872 – 28 July 19 ...

, but was defeated.

Later life

Ross served on the Hawke's Bay Land Board and the Hawke's Bay Education Board. In 1924 he joined the Public Trust in

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. He died in

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

on 16 January 1949 and was buried at

Karori Cemetery Karori Cemetery is New Zealand's second largest cemetery, located in the Wellington suburb of Karori. History Karori Cemetery opened in 1891 to address overcrowding at Bolton Street Cemetery. In 1909, it received New Zealand's first cremato ...

Notes

References

* * 1867 births 1949 deaths New Zealand Liberal Party MPs Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates Unsuccessful candidates in the 1902 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1911 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1919 New Zealand general election People from Waikaia People educated at Otago Boys' High School Burials at Karori Cemetery {{NewZealand-Liberal-politician-stub