Alfred Domett
Encyclopedia
Alfred Domett, CMG
(20 May 1811 – 2 November 1887) was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier
.
, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner. He entered St John's College, Cambridge
, but left the university in 1833.
, one of which, A Christmas Hymn, attracted attention. He was called to the bar, but for ten years he lived a life of ease in London, where he became the intimate friend of Robert Browning
, of whose poem Waring he was the subject. An account of the friendship between the two men appeared in The Contemporary Review for January 1905, by W. H. Griffin.
Among his books of poetry, Ranolf and Amohia, a South Sea Day Dream (1872), about Māori
life, is the best known, and Flotsam and Jetsam (1877) is dedicated to Browning.
for New Munster Province in 1848, secretary for the colony in 1851, and the fourth Premier of New Zealand
from 1862 to 1863. He represented the electorate of Nelson
, first as the Town of Nelson 1855–60 and then City of Nelson 1860–66 (retired).
The most noteworthy change Domett brought about during his tenure in office was the moving of New Zealand's capital from Auckland to Wellington in 1865. In November 1863 he moved a resolution before Parliament that "it has become necessary that the seat of government... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait." He returned to England in 1871 and became a CMG
in 1880.
Domett was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council
from 19 June 1866 until 3 July 1874, when his membership lapsed through absence.
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Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(20 May 1811 – 2 November 1887) was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
.
Early life
He was born at CamberwellCamberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner. He entered St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, but left the university in 1833.
Poetry
Domett published one or two volumes of poetry from 1833, and contributed several poems to Blackwood's MagazineBlackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine. The first number appeared in April 1817 under the editorship of Thomas Pringle and James Cleghorn...
, one of which, A Christmas Hymn, attracted attention. He was called to the bar, but for ten years he lived a life of ease in London, where he became the intimate friend of Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
, of whose poem Waring he was the subject. An account of the friendship between the two men appeared in The Contemporary Review for January 1905, by W. H. Griffin.
Among his books of poetry, Ranolf and Amohia, a South Sea Day Dream (1872), about Māori
Maori culture
Māori culture is the culture of the Māori of New Zealand, an Eastern Polynesian people, and forms a distinctive part of New Zealand culture. Within the Māori community, and to a lesser extent throughout New Zealand as a whole, the word Māoritanga is often used as an approximate synonym for Māori...
life, is the best known, and Flotsam and Jetsam (1877) is dedicated to Browning.
New Zealand politics
In 1842 Domett emigrated to New Zealand, where he filled many important administrative posts, being Colonial SecretaryColonial Secretary (New Zealand)
The Colonial Secretary of New Zealand was an office established in 1840 and abolished in 1907. The position should not be confused with the Colonial Secretary of the former Colonial Office of the United Kingdom....
for New Munster Province in 1848, secretary for the colony in 1851, and the fourth Premier of New Zealand
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
from 1862 to 1863. He represented the electorate of Nelson
Nelson (New Zealand electorate)
Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson...
, first as the Town of Nelson 1855–60 and then City of Nelson 1860–66 (retired).
The most noteworthy change Domett brought about during his tenure in office was the moving of New Zealand's capital from Auckland to Wellington in 1865. In November 1863 he moved a resolution before Parliament that "it has become necessary that the seat of government... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait." He returned to England in 1871 and became a CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1880.
Domett was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
from 19 June 1866 until 3 July 1874, when his membership lapsed through absence.
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