John Sharp (New Zealand politician)

John Sharp (1828 – 4 June 1919) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand and Mayor of Nelson.

Sharp was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, in 1828. He was educated at Chatham House College, Ramsgate, for the Navy for four years. However, he joined the merchant service. He was an honorary member of Lodge Southern Star, No. 735, E.C., of the New Zealand Freemasons.

In 1843 Sharp migrated to New Zealand in the ship Ursula as clerk to Sir Francis Dillon Bell. Next Sharp became a surveyor for the New Zealand Company. He then received the appointment of assistant clerk to John Tinline, who was clerk to the Superintendent and Resident Magistrate. When Tinline resigned Sharp became clerk. A few months later he was appointed of Registrar of the Supreme Court. A notable trial during this time related to the Maungatapu murders.

When Mr Poynter died, he was appointed Resident Magistrate (1868–1871), Registrar of Deeds, and Deputy Commissioner of Stamps. Sharp held these appointments for three years and then retired.

In 1872 he went into partnership with JA and TH Harley as a co–owner of Kent Breweries. In 1876 he took a controlling share of Nelson's largest brewery, changing its name to The City Brewery. This he sold to Harley and Little. His second business interest was Sharp and Sons, an auctioneering firm.

Sharp commissioned John Scotland, a local builder and architect to construct a substantial 620 square metre, two story residence for him and his family in 1876 at a cost of 3,000 pounds.

The house at 193 Milton Street, was named "Fellworth" after an old English family residence. It was constructed from Rimu, Totara, Matai, and Kauri timber, had an English slate tile roof, and African back basalt steps at its main entrance. Following Sharp's death there on 4 June 1919, the house was sold to the Cawthron Trust Board. From 1920 to 1970 the house was transformed into a series of labs, a library, and a museum. It is now privately owned.

Fellworth House is a Category II historic place registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. It was registered on 25 November 1982 with registration number 1553.

Sharp was representative for Waimea East for two years and then representative for Amuri. He held the position of Provincial Treasurer for three years.

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