Matthew Middlewood Kirkbride (13 August 1848 – 4 November 1906) was an independent conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1902–1905 | 15th | Manukau | Independent | ||
1905–1906 | 16th | Manukau | Independent |
Born in Ulleskelf in Yorkshire, Kirkbride arrived in New Zealand in July 1863. [1]
He was a friend and neighbour of William Massey, with whom he shared positions on local government. Kirkbride was one of the people who persuaded Massey in 1893 to stand for Parliament; [1] Massey was beaten in Franklin that year, but was successful in an 1894 by-election. [2]
Kirkbride was elected to the Manukau electorate in the 1902 election, [3] when he defeated the incumbent, Maurice O'Rorke. [1] He won the 1905 election against Liberal Ralph Duncan Stewart. [1] He held the Manukau electorate until he died in 1906. [3] His death caused the 6 December 1906 by-election in Manukau, which was won by Frederic Lang. [4]