Thomas Henry Potts
Encyclopedia
Thomas Henry Potts was a British
-born New Zealand
naturalist
, ornithologist
, entomologist
, and botanist
.
The son of a small arms
manufacturer, he emigrated to New Zealand in 1854, and recorded many natural observations as well as species that were then new to science, such as the Black-billed Gull
and the Great Spotted Kiwi
.
In 1866 he was elected to the Mount Herbert
electorate
after William Sefton Moorhouse
who had won the seat in the 1866 general election
declined the seat. Potts retired from Parliament in 1870.
Potts owned Ohinetahi
for several years.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-born New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, ornithologist
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
, entomologist
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
, and botanist
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
.
The son of a small arms
Small arms
Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
manufacturer, he emigrated to New Zealand in 1854, and recorded many natural observations as well as species that were then new to science, such as the Black-billed Gull
Black-billed Gull
The Black-billed Gull is a species of gull in the Laridae family.It is endemic to New Zealand. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus, but is now considered to be the genus Chroicocephalus...
and the Great Spotted Kiwi
Great Spotted Kiwi
The Great Spotted Kiwi, Great Gray Kiwi, or Roroa, Apteryx haastii, is a species of kiwi endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. The Great Spotted Kiwi, as a member of the Ratites, is flightless. It is the largest of the kiwi...
.
In 1866 he was elected to the Mount Herbert
Mount Herbert (New Zealand electorate)
Mount Herbert was a former parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, from 1866 to 1870.-History:The electorate was formed for the 4th New Zealand Parliament in 1866, replacing the Ellesmere electorate. The general election was held on 22 February 1866...
electorate
New Zealand electorates
An electorate is a voting district for elections to the Parliament of New Zealand. In informal discussion, electorates are often called seats. The most formal description, electoral district, is rarely seen outside of electoral legislation. Before 1996, all Members of Parliament were directly...
after William Sefton Moorhouse
William Sefton Moorhouse
William Sefton Moorhouse was a New Zealand politician. He was the second Superintendent of Canterbury Province.-Early life:...
who had won the seat in the 1866 general election
New Zealand general election, 1866
The New Zealand general election of 1866 was held between 12 February and 6 April to elect 70 MPs to the fourth term of the New Zealand Parliament. 13,196 votes were cast....
declined the seat. Potts retired from Parliament in 1870.
Potts owned Ohinetahi
Ohinetahi
Ōhinetahi is a valley, historic homestead, and formal garden on Teddington Road, Governors Bay, Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand...
for several years.