Alfred Saunders (12 June 1820 – 28 October 1905) was a 19th-century New Zealand politician.
Political career
Parliament of New Zealand |
Years | Term | Electorate | Party |
1861–1864 | 3rd | Waimea | Independent |
|
1878–1879 | 6th | Cheviot | Independent |
1879–1881 | 7th | Cheviot | Independent |
|
1889–1890 | 10th | Lincoln | Independent |
1890–1893 | 11th | Selwyn | Independent |
1893–1896 | 12th | Selwyn | Independent |
He was elected onto the Nelson Provincial Council representing Waimea South in 1855 and remained a councillor until his election of Superintendent for the Nelson Province from 1865 to 1867. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Waimea in 1861, and he resigned from this seat in 1864. He then represented Cheviot from 1878 to 1881 when he was defeated. He contested the 1888 by-election in the Ashley electorate and was defeated by John Verrall by just two votes. From 1889 to 1890 he represented the Lincoln electorate and from 1890 to 1896 he represented Selwyn, being defeated at the general election of 1896 for the latter constituency.
Saunders' gravestone at Linwood Cemetery
He supported the Temperance Union petition in favour of woman's suffrage to Parliament in 1891. He had ten children, including Sarah Page.