BOLLARD, JOHN (1839-1915) was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, educated at the Church of England school there and received a special training in agriculture. He acted as a clerk of works before emigrating to New Zealand. For a few months he was on the goldfield at Snowy River, but having no luck returned to New Zealand with 200 horses to sell as remounts to the forces engaged in the war (1861). He served as a sergeant-major and then took up land at Avondale and was in business as a land agent and valuer. He was a member of the Avondale road board for a long period (including 28 years as chairman) and was a member of the Eden licensing committee and chairman of the Auckland hospital and charitable aid board. For 51 years he was chairman and for 54 years a member of the Avondale school committee. He was a justice of the peace for 40 years and coroner for 30.

In 1896 Bollard was elected to represent Eden in Parliament and he was a member till 1914, when he retired. He supported the Conservative party, was a useful member of the stock and agricultural committee, and was the earliest advocate of workers' homes. He died on 23 Mar 1915.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Jun 1915; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z. Herald, 25 Mar 1915. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 54

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