CONOLLY, EDWARD TENNYSON (1822-1908) was the son of Dr John Conolly, an eminent authority on the treatment of the insane. Intended for the medical profession, he preferred law and, having passed some years in the office of a solicitor and parliamentary agent, he was called to the bar of the Inner Temple in 1852. He practised for 13 years as a member of the Home Circuit and Sussex sessions.

In 1865 he came to New Zealand, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Picton. Taking an active interest in public affairs, Conolly was elected in 1867 to represent Picton in the Marlborough Provincial Council and remained a member until the provinces were abolished. In 1870-71 he was a member of the provincial executive. In 1881 he was elected to represent Picton in Parliament, and late in 1882 he was appointed Minister of Justice in the Whitaker administration, a post that he retained, with the addition of the attorney-generalship, when Atkinson reconstructed the ministry in 1883. From 1884 he was in opposition until he retired in 1887. In 1889 Conolly was appointed judge of the Supreme Court and stationed at Auckland. He retired in 1903 and died on Nov 8 1908.

Buick, Marlborough; Who's Who NZ., 1908; N.Z. Herald, 9 Sep 1889.

Reference: Volume 1, page 103

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