SEYMOUR, ARTHUR PENROSE (1832-1923) was born at Marksbury, Somerset, and came to New Zealand in 1851, settling in Marlborough. In 1855 he married a daughter of Frederick Huddleston, of Nelson. Seymour had a large run in the Awatere valley. He took a prominent part in the affairs of Marlborough, and was a justice of the peace from 1857. When the province was separated from Nelson he was elected to represent Picton in the Provincial Council, in which he sat almost continuously throughout the provincial period (for Picton 1860-65; Awatere, 1866-69; Picton, 1869-74; Awatere, 1874-75). In the first session Seymour moved that provincial buildings be erected in Picton. The removal of the capital from Blenheim was a disturbing factor in Marlborough politics for many years. The Blenheim party was led by Eyes. Seymour was a member of the executive in 1860 and in 1864. Later in 1864 he was elected Superintendent (in succession to Carter). The struggle continued until the end of 1865, when the Picton party was defeated and Eyes became Superintendent.

Seymour was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till 1872. In 1870 he was again elected Superintendent, and a year or two later Eyes became a member of his executive. This enabled Seymour to be elected again to represent the Wairau constituency in Parliament, and he remained its member till 1881, when he was defeated by H. Dodson. Six years later he was returned to Parliament for Waimea-Picton, which he represented till 1890, when he finally left politics. He was chairman of committees in the House in 1873-75 and 1879-81. Seymour was a member of various local bodies, including the Marlborough education board (of which he was the first chairman in 1877), the land board (for 36 years) and the Victoria College council (1898-1904). He died on 3 Apr 1923.

Marlborough P.C. minutes; Buick, Marlborough; Cycl. N.Z., v (p); N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 45, 19 Jun 1923); Marlborough Express, 4 Apr 1923.

Reference: Volume 2, page 148

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