TAYLOR, THOMAS EDWARD (1862-1911) was born in Kirton, Lindsey, Lincolnshire; arrived in Lyttelton with his parents in 1874 by the Cardigan Castle, and attended West Christchurch and Avonside schools. For nearly 20 years he was employed by J. M. Heywood and Co., forwarding agents, and resigned as manager in 1895 to establish his own business as commission agent and importer. In 1892 he married a daughter of R. B. Ellison, of Christchurch. In the following year he became a member of the Sydenham borough council.

Taylor first entered the House of Representatives in 1896 as member for Christchurch South. A member of the Young New Zealand party and a strong critic of the Boer war, he was defeated in 1899, but again returned at the head of the poll in 1902. In 1905 he was defeated for Christchurch North by C. M. Gray, whom he in turn defeated in 1908. He was a strong advocate of state control of the liquor traffic, and was for a time secretary of the Sydenham prohibition league. For some years Taylor was a member of the Christchurch City Council, and at the time of his death (on 27 Jul 1911) he was mayor. Taylor was one of the most effective speakers and critics in Parliament, and numbered among the most influential leaders of the temperance movement.

N.Z.P.D., 27 Jul 1911; Cycl. N.Z., iii; W. J. Williams (p); Lyttelton Times and The Press, 28 Jul 1911. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 191

🌳 Further sources