Benjamin Tonks

Benjamin Tonks (1832 – 27 June 1884) was a 19th-century mayor and Member of Parliament in Auckland, New Zealand.

Benjamin Tonks was Mayor of Auckland City from 1875–1876
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1876–1877 6th City of Auckland West Independent

Tonks was elected to the Parnell electorate of the Auckland Provincial Council in 1871. He represented Parnell in the 6th and 7th council until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.[1]

He was the Mayor of Auckland City from 1875 to 1876. He defeated the incumbent mayor Frederick Prime 1,062 votes to 402 in the first direct election for the position by the public.[2]

At the 1876 by-election which followed the resignation of Sir George Grey, he was elected to represent the City of Auckland West electorate. He resigned in 1877.[3]

He died at his home in Remuera on 27 June 1884.[4][5]

References
  1. Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer. p. 186.
  2. "Election of Mayor". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XII, no. 4398. 17 December 1875. p. 5.
  3. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 241. OCLC 154283103.
  4. "Death of Mr. Benjamin Tonks". Auckland Star. 27 June 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 20 June 2020 – via Papers Past.
  5. "Deaths". Auckland Star. 28 June 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 20 June 2020 – via Papers Past.


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