Charles Bowen (New Zealand politician)
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The Honourable Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KCMG |
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Charles Christopher Bowen
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| 13th Speaker of the Legislative Council | |
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In office 30 June 1905 – 4 July 1915 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Reeves |
| Succeeded by | Charles John Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
29 August 1830 County Mayo, Ireland |
| Died | 12 December 1917 (aged 87) Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Political party | Independent |
Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KCMG (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a New Zealand politician.
Bowen was born in County Mayo, Ireland and studied law for two years at Cambridge University. At the age of 20 he emigrated with his parents on one of the First Four Ships, the Charlotte Jane, to the Canterbury settlement.
His law training led to a position as private secretary to John Robert Godley, founder of the Canterbury colony. He was in charge of the police force, and, together with Crosbie Ward, became a part-owner of the Lyttelton Times newspaper.
In 1859, Bowen traversed the Andes on with Clements Markham, and 16 July 1861, he married his sister Georgina Elizabeth Markham.
Following their return to Christchurch, Bowen was appointed resident magistrate in 1864, succeeding Joseph Brittan, who had resigned on health grounds. Bowen held the position until 1874.
Bowen started his political career by getting elected to the first Canterbury Provincial Council for the Christchurch Country electorate on 10 September 1853. He served until the end of the first term and then successfully contested the Avon electorate, where he was returned on 6 November 1857. He served on the second to fourth Council representing the Avon electorate until 8 February 1865. He became the council's second Speaker in April 1855 and held that role until February 1865. He served on the Canterbury Executive Council from July to September 1857. He was the Council's first Deputy-Superintendent from September 1857 to September 1862.
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