ELL, HENRY GEORGE (1862-1934) was born at Christchurch and educated at the West Christchurch school and a private school. He was a junior attendant at the Canterbury Museum and was then for a year or two on survey work and sheep stations and in wool scouring works. He served for three and a half years in the Armed Constabulary at Parihaka and elsewhere. For four years he was printing and stereotyping; for five years he was in a warehouse in Christchurch and finally with a manufacturing stationer.

Always interested in labour politics, Ell became a member of the Knights of Labour and of the Canterbury Liberal Association, and was three years secretary, and some time president of the Progressive Liberal Association. The last post he resigned to contest the Christchurch election, for which he was nominated by the Canterbury Women's Institute. He came fifth (with 4,705 votes). At the following election (1899) he was returned as the junior member for Christchurch City (with W. W. Collins and C. Lewis), and in 1902 he was second (with T. E. Taylor and Davey as his colleagues). He represented Christchurch South continuously from 1905-19. He was defeated in 1919 and at the three following elections. Ell was a strong prohibitionist and an advocate of state banking and the referendum with initiative. He was Postmaster-general in the Mackenzie cabinet (1912). After his retirement from Parliament he continued to take an interest in social movements and in beautifying. He was at different times a member of the Spreydon road board, the Addington school committee, the Canterbury College board of governors and the Canterbury Children's Aid Society. He married (1892) Adelaide Eleanor, daughter of Alfred Gee. His death occurred on 27 Jun 1934.

N.Z.P.D., 20 Jun 1934; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); The Press and Christchurch Times, 28 Jun 1934.

Reference: Volume 1, page 131

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