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September 19 2018
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Selwyn’s role in women’s vote marked u by Kent Caddick
A Hororata man’s pivotal role in New Zealand becoming the first country in the world to give women the vote was marked at a special event over the weekend. P3
A trip around the world without leaving home CultureFest is part of a larger plan to welcome newcomers …
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Greendots growing in Selwyn
Volunteers and landowners along with the Te Ara Kakariki …
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An enduring legacy
What’s in a name? Well, Ford will be quick to tell you …
This year marks the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. On this day (September 19) in 1893, the Electoral Act was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote. As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Key to getting the necessary legislation through parliament was the then Selwyn MP Sir John Hall from Terrace Station near Hororata, who worked with suffragist leader Kate Sheppard to ensure women’s right to vote was enshrined in statute. On Saturday his role was celebrated during a Victorian-themed Lincoln Farmers and Craft Market, which was held to mark the 125th anniversary of New Zealand women getting the vote. A street theatre performance featuring actors portraying the key figures of the era, like Sir John, was put on by the Centrestage Rolleston theatre group. Among the crowd watching was Sir John’s great-granddaughter Kate Foster who, along with her husband Richard, is a joint custodian of the historic Terrace Station homestead. A number of Sir John’s descendants watched the performance at its two showings, with a great-grandson, five great-granddaughters and one granddaughter in attendance. Kate Foster said the casting of Glen Clark as Sir John was brilliant.
p Hororata’s Kate Foster meets with actor Glen Clark who portrayed her great-grandfather Sir John Hall in a street theatre performance, which marked the Selwyn man’s role in helping women to get the vote in New Zealand
“All the family thought he was so much like Sir John and he looked the part. There was some great interaction with the crowd.” She said the family were delighted their great-grandfather was remembered in this way. “Over the years his role in bringing women the vote in New Zealand has
been forgotten, even though, in my opinion, he was just as important as Kate Sheppard, with whom Sir John worked closely.” Kate Foster said Sir John wasn’t just about the enfranchisement of women — but he wanted equality for all people, not just women. continued on page 7 …
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