BENNET, JAMES (1830-1908) was born in Forfarshire and brought up to agriculture. In 1853 he married a daughter of Alexander Findlay, of Forfarshire, and emigrated to Victoria, where he became a carter to the goldfields. Twelve years later he crossed to New Zealand, and carried on the same occupation till 1872, when he bought land in the Crookston district, and settled at Rae's Junction. In 1876 Bennet was elected to the Tuapeka county council, of which he was chairman for ten years. He served on the school committee (becoming chairman in 1895) and was a member of the Tuapeka licensing committee. From 1899 till his death (on 3 May 1908) he was Liberal member of Parliament for Tuapeka.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z.P.D., 29 Jun 1908; Don; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 48

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