Charles Burnett (politician)

Charles Harris Burnett (24 June 1875 – 7 January 1947) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Charles Burnett
Burnett in 1935
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Tauranga
In office 1935–1938
Preceded by	Charles MacMillan
Succeeded by	Frederick Doidge
Personal details
Born	Charles Harris Burnett 24 June 1875 Fordell, Wanganui, New Zealand
Died	7 January 1947 (aged 71) Tauranga, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Helen Mary Burr ​ (m. 1901)​
Children	3
Education	Wanganui Collegiate School

Early life and family

Born on his parents' farm at Fordell near Wanganui on 24 June 1875, Burnett was the son of Cornelius Burnett, a barrister and solicitor, and Lily Marion Burnett (née Harris).[1][2][3] He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, and went farming when he was 16 years old, going on to farm on the property where he was born for 25 years.[1] He was involved in the establishment of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and was a life member of the Wanganui Agricultural Society.[1]

On 9 October 1901, Burnett married Helen Mary Burr at Omanaia in the Hokianga,[4] and the couple went on to have four children.[1]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1935–1938	25th	Tauranga		Labour

Burnett began his community and political involvement in the Wanganui district. He served for a number of years on the Purua Road Board, the Wanganui County Council and the Fordell school board.[1] He was later elected as a member of the Wanganui City Countil, serving in that capacity for 13 years.[1] He also served on the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board, the Wanganui-Rangitikei Hospital Board, and the Wellington Land Board.[1] In 1932, he unsuccessfully stood for election as a member of the New Zealand Dairy Board.[1]

He represented the Tauranga electorate from 1935 to 1938, when he was defeated. He was to stand as an independent candidate for the 1941 New Zealand general election.[5] However, the election was cancelled due to World War II.

Later life and death

Burnett remained in the Tauranga district, and died there on 7 January 1947.[6] He was buried at Tauranga Public Anglican Cemetery.[7] His widow, Helen Burnett, died in 1964.[7]

Notes

1. "General election". Bay of Plenty Times. 2 April 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
2. "Birth search: registration number 1875/1029". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
3. "Obituary". Wanganui Chronicle. 3 May 1918. p. 4. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
4. "Marriage". Wanganui Chronicle. 25 October 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
5. "Mr Burnett's Manifesto". LXIX (13389) (4th ed.). Bay of Plenty Times. 15 July 1941. p. 4.
6. "Obituary: Mr. C. H. Burnett". Bay of Plenty Beacon. 13 January 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
7. "Cemeteries detail". Tauranga City Council. Retrieved 3 June 2019.

References

• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.