SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 10, 7 March 1891, Page 3

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mu William Jfkes Steward, M.H.R. for Waimate, Major in the New Zealand Volunteer Force, and a Justice of the Peace for the colony, was born in 1841 at Reading, Berks, and educated at King Edward VI. Grammar School, Ludlow, Salop. He arrived in New Zealand in September, 1862, and was for some years resident in Christchurch, where he took an active part in volunteer matters, raising ami commanding the No. 6 Company C.V. K., now the < ’ity Guards. Having removed to < lamaru in 1867, he edited the North Otago Timet for twelve and a half years, and eventually became the principal proprietor. Mr Steward was elected for Waitaki at the general election in 1870, and sat for that electorate during the Parliament of 1871-75. Being defeated at the general election in 1875, he became mayor of Oaniaru, and occupied the civic chair for three years in succession, 1876-7-8. He sat in the last Provincial Council of Otago, representing Oaniaru county district, and was a member of the last Provincial Executive. Having raised companies of riffe volunteers in Oaniaru, Otepopo, and Hampden, which, with the Oaniaru Artillery, were formed into a battalion, he held the command as major for over five years. In 1879 Major Steward removed to Waimate, where he remained for six years editing the H'ltimitle Times. Subsequently he became proprietor of the Ashburton Mail, and also editor. In 1881 he appealed successfully to the electors of the Waimate constituency, and entered the House as their representative. There Major Steward has established a reputation for the moderation of his views, and for such a sound knowledge of the forms of Parliament, that on the meeting of the present House of Representatives he was elected Speaker over Mr Rolleston by a majority of thirtysix to twenty-nine.