McCOMBS, ELIZABETH REID (1873-1935), a daughter of Daniel Henderson, of Kaiapoi, was educated at the West Christchurch school and at the Christchurch Girls' High School. In 1903 she married James McCombs (q.v.). Always interested in social work, she was secretary for some years of the Children's Aid Society and president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and an executive member of the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association. In 1921 she was elected a member of the Christchurch City Council, and she held that position until her death (on 7 Jun 1935). From 1927 she was chairman of the electrical committee. In 1921 she gained a seat on the North Canterbury hospital board, and in 1927 she became a member of the tramways board. She also served on the domains board. At the general elections of 1928 and 1931 she unsuccessfully contested for Labour the Kaiapoi and Christchurch North seats, but on the death of her husband in 1933, she was elected for the Lyttelton district, being the first woman to gain a seat in the New Zealand Parliament. Her activities there were largely directed towards the interests of women and children.

Who's Who N.Z., 1932; The Dominion (p) and Evening Post, 7 Jun 1935. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 5

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