Name Arthur Beauchamp | ||
Arthur Beauchamp (1827 – 28 April 1910) was a Member of Parliament from New Zealand.
Biography
Beauchamp came to Nelson from Australia on the Lalla Rookh, arriving on 23 February 1861. He lived much of his life in a number of locations around the top of the South Island. His son Harold Beauchamp rose to fame as chairman of the Bank of New Zealand and the father of writer Katherine Mansfield.
Beauchamp represented the Picton electorate from 1866 to 1867, when he resigned. He also served on the council of Marlborough Province and is best-remembered for a 10-hour speech to that body when an attempt was made to relocate the capital from Picton to Blenheim.
In 1866 he attempted to sue the Speaker of the House, David Monro. At the time the extent of privilege held by Members of Parliament was unclear; a select committee ruled that the case could proceed, but with a stay until after the parliamentary session.