EARNSHAW, WILLIAM (1852-1931) was born at Manchester, England, and educated there. He displayed considerable ability at school and was apprenticed to an engineering firm with which he was trained as an all-round mechanic. At the age of 21 he went to the United States, where he spent two years. After visiting Australia and New Zealand, Earnshaw settled in Christchurch (1878) and was employed at the Addington workshops. In 1881 he removed to Dunedin, where he was engaged as a brassfounder at Anderson and Morrison's.

In 1890 he was elected to the House of Representatives for Peninsula, being one of the first batch of labour members returned to Parliament. He represented that constituency for three years, and the City of Dunedin in the next Parliament, and was defeated in 1896 (under the triple-electorate system). In 1900 he stood for Wellington (unsuccessfully). Earnshaw then lived in Westland, where he was engaged in a beach dredging property at Gillespie's. He was afterwards employed by the Wellington harbour board. In 1913 he was called to the Legislative Council by the Massey government, and he remained a member till his death, on 29 Dec 1931.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Feb 1932; Otago Daily Times, 30 Dec 1931; Taranaki News, 10 Dec 1890.

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 129

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