BAIGENT, EDWARD (1812-92) was born at Wendlesham, Sussex, and was brought up as a mechanic, but afterwards took to farming. He came to Nelson by the Clifford (1842) and started farming at Wakefield. There in 1846 he erected a flourmill with machinery which he had brought from England. Some years later he disposed of the mill and took to sawmilling, in which he was engaged for the rest of his life. Baigent represented Waimea South in the Nelson Provincial Council for the whole of the provincial period (1853-76), being a private member throughout. In 1867 he was elected to Parliament for Waimea, which he represented on two occasions (1867-70 and 1876-79). He was a member also of the Waimea road board and other local bodies. Baigent died on 9 Nov 1892.

Cycl. NZ, iv.

Reference: Volume 1, page 30

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