BARTLEY, THOMAS HOUGHTON (1798-1878) was a son of William Bartley, of Liverpool. Admitted to the Inner Temple in 1818, he was called in 1823 and practised on the northern circuit and at Liverpool.

In 1838 he emigrated to South Australia, where he entered into practice. He came to Bay of Islands early in 1840 and was associated with F. Whitaker there until the capital was removed to Auckland. Bartley was a man of singular modesty and reserve, 'who carried chivalry almost to the verge of quixotism; imbued with every instinct of a gentleman.' On removing to Auckland he was leader of the bar for many years. Much against his disposition he took part in politics. In 1853 he was urged to stand for the superintendency of Auckland, but withdrew later (25 Apr 1853). He was, however, elected to the Provincial Council for the City, which he represented in 1853-54 and 1855-57. He was elected speaker of the Council and controlled it with tact and dignity through stormy crises in which party feeling ran very high (1853-57). He was deputy-superintendent of Auckland in 1856. Meanwhile Bartley was also a member of the House of Representatives (1853-54) and in this arena too he played his part in heated controversy. He was a member of the executive with Fitzgerald (Jul-Aug 1854). In Jul 1854 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which in 1856 he was appointed Speaker. That position he held with dignity until 1868, when he accepted a pension of £300. He remained a member of the Council for some years longer, but vacated his seat in 1874.

In spite of his gentle and mild manners, Bartley had great strength of will and physical energy. He frequently pulled his boat across to Stokes Point after the Council rose, and he took a prominent part in the trenches at Fort Britomart during the native crisis. Bartley died on 25 Dec 1878, his wife having predeceased him by seven years. His daughter Mary married Sir Edward Stafford (q.v.).

The Treasurer's office, Inner Temple; Auckland P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; N.Z.P.D.; Saunders; Rusden; Thomson; Kennedy. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 38

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