Alfred Domett was premier 1862-1863. Aside from politics he is remembered for establishing the Parliamentary Library and for his much-derided epic verse Ranolf and Amohia: A South-Sea Daydream.
Alfred Domett
Personal details
Full Name:
Alfred Domett
Lifetime:
20 May 1811 – 2 Nov 1887
Premier:
6 Aug 1862–30 Oct 1863
Age on becoming Premier:
51
Electorate:
City of Nelson
Biography
Events In History
3 December 1863
The New Zealand Settlements Act enabled the confiscation (raupatu) of land from Māori tribes deemed to have ‘engaged in open rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority’. Pākehā settlers would occupy the confiscated land.
Main image: Cartoon of drunk MP, 1856
Astute observers of Parliament were found inside the House as well as outside. In the 1850s and 1860s, Member of Parliament Alfred Domett captured the foibles and habits of his fellow parliamentarians, preserving them in a small sketchbook.
