BARTON, GEORGE ELLIOTT (1827-1906) studied for the bar, was admitted and began his professional career in Dublin, where he had been a pupil with a barrister of high standing. In the early fifties he emigrated to Victoria and practised for some years in Melbourne. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for North Melbourne from 1859 until he moved to Ballarat, when he retired from Parliament (1860). In 1862 Barton came to Otago and commenced practising in Dunedin. Though a successful advocate with a remarkable power of concentration, he had an impulsive and highly excitable temperament and was frequently at loggerheads with bench and bar. Barton was elected member of the Provincial Council for the City of Dunedin in 1871, but was defeated in 1873. In 1874 he contested a Dunedin seat in Parliament against Wales, who defeated him by 632 votes to 542. In 1876 Barton moved to Wellington, where he entered into practice with H. Fitzherbert. In conducting a case before Mr Justice Richmond in the Supreme Court he was committed for contempt and imprisoned in Wellington gaol. While there he contested the Parliamentary election for Wellington City against E. Pearce and W. Hutchison. His son, Elliott L'Estrange Barton (1857-1934) appeared on the platform to speak for him and Barton was elected (10 Feb 1878). A crowd formed outside the gaol and Barton appeared to answer their congratulations, but was not permitted to speak. He lost his seat in 1879. Some years later Barton went to the United States and practised in San Francisco. On returning to New Zealand he was appointed a judge of the native land court, and in 1892 judge of the validation court. Barton died in 1906, his wife having predeceased him by 10 years.

Cycl. NZ., i; Barclay; Otago Witness, 12 May 1866; Otago Daily Times, 8 May 1876; NZ. Times, 4 May 1877, 11 Oct 1878.

Reference: Volume 1, page 39

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