McGUIRE, FELIX (1847-1915) was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, educated there and sailed for Australia in 1862. Early in the following year he crossed to Auckland, enlisted in the Waikato Regiment and was in action at Mauku. Having seen the Waikato campaign through, and been present at Te Ranga (Jun 1864), he visited the West Coast diggings; but a year or two later enlisted in the Wanganui Cavalry for the campaign against Titokowaru. He was mentioned in despatches, transferred to the commissariat and eventually given a commission.

On leaving the service he entered into business as a storekeeper at Patea, prospered financially and took a leading part in public life. He was a member of the Provincial Council for Patea from 1873 until the abolition of the provinces, after which he became chairman of the county council. In the late seventies he moved to Hawera, of which town he was the first mayor; and in 1883 to Auckland, where he acquired business interests. He returned to Hawera in 1886, and in the following year accepted a suggestion made 10 years earlier by opposing Atkinson for the Egmont seat. After a finely organised contest he was narrowly defeated, but when Atkinson retired he gained the seat, which he represented from 1891. In 1896 the Hawera electorate was created and he represented it until 1902, when he was defeated by C. E. Major. In 1913 he again went to reside in Auckland. McGuire received many presentations in recognition of his public services as mayor, member of Parliament and captain of the Hawera Rifles, and his constant interest in charities and social movements. In his later years he farmed at Okaiawa.

He married (1868) a daughter of J. Quin, of Wanganui. McGuire died on 6 Apr 1915.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Jun 1915; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Hawera Star, 7 Apr 1915. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 12

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