CADMAN, SIR ALFRED JEROME (1847-1905), a son of Jerome Cadman (q.v.), was born in Sydney and came to Auckland with his parents as an infant. He received his education in the parish schools of St Paul's and St Matthew's and at Wesley College, after which he completed his term of apprenticeship as a carpenter under E. J. Matthews. As a young man he served in the volunteer forces during the war. At the age of 21 he entered the sawmilling business in Coromandel, and he did very well for many years. There he first entered public life as a member of the Tiki road board, of which he soon became chairman. He was chairman of the Coromandel county council for the first ten years. Cadman was elected to represent Coromandel in Parliament in 1881, and again in 1884 and 1887. In 1890 he was returned after a severe contest for a changed constituency under the name of Thames. Ballance invited him to join his cabinet (1891) as Commissioner of Stamp Duties, to which were presently added the portfolio of Native Affairs and in May 1892 that of Justice. As Native Minister he dealt sympathetically with the South Island tribes, and assisted to have a large area of land made available for their use. Owing to charges made against him by W. L. Rees in 1893 of using his position to benefit himself in connection with native lands, he challenged his accuser to resign and contest a seat. They both resigned on 20 Jul and, Rees choosing his own constituency of Auckland City, Cadman defeated him by 750 votes (4 Aug). He declined, however, to retain the administration of native affairs and assumed instead the portfolio of mines, to which was added later that of railways, then a difficult and exacting department.

In 1893 Cadman became member for Waikato and from 1896 for Ohinemuri. His health having been undermined by close application to the detail of his departments, he retired in 1899 and was called to the Legislative Council. He continued as a member of the cabinet without portfolio until Apr 1901, in which year he received the C.M.G. After his retirement he continued to take a keen interest in the development of ironsand on the west coast of the North Island, paying two visits to Great Britain to form a company. He was promoted K.C.M.G. in 1903. In Jul 1904 he was elected Speaker of the Council, but his health prevented him assuming the duties and he died a few months later (23 Mar 1905).

Cadman married (1886) Fanny, daughter of Joseph Bell (of Aylesbury, who arrived by the King of Italy and settled at Whangarei). She died 7 Apr 1892.

N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 27 Jun 1905); N.Z. Cycl., i (p); Reeves; Coromandel County Diamond Jubilee; N.Z. Herald, 15 Jul 1879; 24 Mar 1905. Portrait: General Assembly Library.

Reference: Volume 1, page 81

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