HARDY, CHARLES ALBERT CREERY (1843-1922) was born in Ireland and educated under the Church Education Society. Having gained some experience in a store, he came to New Zealand in 1863, spending the next four years in Dunedin. In 1868 he went to the West Coast, where he kept a store at Charleston for some years, and later at Hokitika. He moved in 1879 to Canterbury, opening a store at Rakaia. Hardy was for many years a member of most of the local bodies in his district. He was chairman of the Rakaia school committee and of the North Canterbury education board. In 1899 he was elected M.H.R. for Selwyn, which he continued to represent till 1911, when he was defeated by W. J. Dickie. In 1913 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death (on 29 Aug 1922). He acted for some years as whip for the Reform party and was chairman of the joint house committee.

N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug 1922; Parltry Record; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Press, 30 Aug 1922. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 195

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