MONK, RICHARD (1833-1912) was born in Lancashire and came to New Zealand with his father, who settled at Hokianga before 1840. In 1849 with his father he went to the golddiggings in California and from there to Australia, returning to New Zealand in 1853. He was a carpenter by trade and started the business of Monk and Morgan in Auckland, which developed into the sash and door factory. He was an expert in the designing and erection of sawmills. From 1881-87 he was associated with the Mercury Bay Timber Co.

Monk had a seat on the Auckland education board and the Waitemata county council, and in 1881 contested the Parnell seat in Parliament as an opponent of Grey. He was elected for Waitemata in 1886, and sat for that constituency till 1893. His re-election in that year being declared void, he regained the seat in 1896 and held it till 1902, when he retired. Monk was a competent Maori linguist, and an eloquent public speaker. He died on 2 May 1912.

N.Z.P.D., 27 Jun 1912; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 3 May 1912; Auckland Star, 27 Aug 1897. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 48

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