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William Francis Buckland (8 August 1847 – 29 December 1915) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in New Zealand, an independent conservative MP and cricketer.
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884–1887 | 9th | Franklin North | Independent | ||
| 1890–1893 | 11th | Manukau | Independent | ||
Buckland was born in Auckland in 1847, a son of William Buckland. John Buckland was an elder brother.[1] Frank Buckland received private tuition, and attended Parnell Grammar School and St John's College. He trained as a civil engineer and was employed by the engineer's department of the Auckland Provincial Council, before joining the Colonial Survey as a surveyor. He then became mine manager in Thames.[1] He also trained in law and was called to the bar in 1884.[1]
Buckland held various public offices in Remuera between 1873 and 1880.[1] Buckland was one of four candidates who contested the Franklin North electorate in the 1881 election.[2] He was beaten by Captain Benjamin Harris, who had since 1879 been one of the two members of the Franklin electorate, by just two votes.[3][4] Early in 1882, Buckland petitioned to the courts against the election on various grounds.[5] The case was heard by the Chief Justice, James Prendergast, and Justice Gillies, who declared the election void.[6][7] Buckland and Harris contested the resulting 1882 by-election,[8] which was won by Harris by 529 votes to 499.[9] In the 1884 election, Buckland defeated Harris in Franklin North.[10] In the 1887 election, Buckland was defeated by the liberal politician Frank Lawry.[11] Buckland then represented the Manukau electorate from 1890, when he defeated long-term MP Maurice O'Rorke. In 1893, O'Rorke defeated him in turn.[12] He again contested the Manukau electorate in the 1896 election, but could not beat the incumbent, Sir Maurice O'Rorke.[13] He tried again in 1899, when four candidates contested the electorate, but O'Rorke remained successful.[14][15]
He was mayor of Cambridge 1898–1903 and 1905–1910.[16][17] He practised law in Cambridge.[18]
Buckland also played seven first-class cricket matches for Auckland between 1873 and 1883.[19][20] In 1873 he organised the first tour by a New Zealand provincial team, when over three weeks in November and December Auckland played in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Nelson, winning all four matches.[21] At the time he was described as a batsman with "a true eye and capital nerve" and a destructive fast bowler with "good lasting powers".[22]
He died on 29 December 1915 at his son's house "Mona Vale" in Cambridge.[17][23] His wife had died before him.[18]
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