Charles Clifford

Sir Charles Clifford, 1st Baronet (1 January 1813 - 27 February 1893) was a New Zealand politician. He was the first Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, serving from 1854 to 1860.

Early life

Clifford was born in Mount Vernon, Lancashire, England. Related to the Barons of Chudleigh, he came from a wealthy background, and his parents were well-connected. After attending Stonyhurst College, Clifford set out for New Zealand with his cousin William Vavasour, leaving in 1842. Arriving in the New Zealand Company settlement of Wellington, the two established a land, shipping and commissions agency with finance from their parents. They later expanded their holdings, establishing a considerable number of farming ventures. Clifford also worked in partnership with Frederick Weld, another cousin. At the same time, he was active in the Wellington militia, attaining the rank of Captain. He became a justice of the peace in 1844 and a magistrate in 1846.

New Zealand politician

When the 1st New Zealand Parliament convened, Clifford was unanimously elected Speaker (having previously been Speaker for the Wellington Provincial Council). He remains the youngest ever Speaker, having been appointed at the age of forty-one. He was Member of the New Zealand Parliament for the City of Wellington from 1854 until his retirement as its speaker in 1860. The most challenging event to arise during Clifford's speakership was the prorogation of Parliament by Robert Wynyard, the acting Governor. Wynyard, objecting to Parliament's denial that it required royal assent to establish New Zealand's self-rule, ordered Parliament to be suspended. Parliament, however, chose to suspend its own standing orders, allowing it to leave Wynyard's instructions officially "unopened" while it continued to debate. The possibility of suspending standing orders was challenged by Wynyard's supporters, but Clifford eventually decided to allow it. Clifford also allowed the proposal and passage of a motion condemning Wynyard's attempt prorogation.

Retirement and later life

Clifford retired from Parliament in 1860, deciding to return to England. He did, however, retain a considerable interest in New Zealand's affairs, and advised British authorities on a number of matters. In 1866, he presented the New Zealand Parliament with a ceremonial mace similar to the one used in the British House of Commons. He also retained considerable business interests in New Zealand. On July 16 1887, he was created 1st Baronet Clifford, of Flaxbourne, New Zealand, the only Clifford-baronetcy still existing. He died in London on 27 February 1893.

Family and children

His great-grandfather: Hugh Clifford, 3rd Baron Clifford of Chudleigh
His uncle: Thomas Hugh Clifford Constable, 1st Baronet Constable of Tixall, Staffordshire On January 13 1847 he married Marianne Hercy, who died on October 6 1899, daughter of John Hercy, of Crichfield House, Berkshire. They had four sons and one daughter:

1. George Hugh Charles Clifford, 2nd Baronet (1847-1930)
2. Walter Lovelace Clifford, 4th Baronet (1853-1944)
3. Charles William Clifford, born August 31 1854, died September 21 1939. He became justice of the peace in Market Drayton. He was married twice. On January 19 1881, he married Mary Eliza Chichester, daughter of Charles Raleigh Chichester (1830-1891), of Burton Constable, Holderness, and Mary Josephine Balfe (d. 1871), of Runnamoat, Roscommon. She died on December 7 1881 after giving birth to a son (No. 1). On June 2 1892, he married Cecily (or Sicele Agnes) de Trafford (d. February 4 1948), daughter of Sir Humphrey de Trafford. With her he had four sons and two daughters (No. 2-7). His children were:
   1. Charles Aston Clifford, born on November 16 1881, died on March 23 1898.
   2. Capt. George Gilbert Joseph Clifford, born on April 13 1893, fell in action on May 22 1940 in World War II. On May 12 1925 he married Alice Calder, daughter of J. J. Calder, of Ardargie, Perthshire. They had one daughter:
      1. Anne Caroline Clifford, born on March 21 1926.
   3. Lieut. Walter Francis Joseph Clifford, born on September 6 1894, fell in action on September 27 1915 in World War I.
   4. Lewis Arthur Joseph Clifford, 5th Baronet (1896-1970)
   5. Roger Charles Joseph Gerrard Clifford, 6th Baronet (1910-1982)
   6. Agnes Clifford, born on March 23 1899, died in 1981. On November 18 1924, she married Francis Joseph Southwell, born on March 31 1900, died January 7 1953, the second son of the 5th, younger brother of the 6th and father od the 7th Viscount Southwell. They had one son and two daughters.
   7. Rosamund Clifford, born on August 10 1904.
4. Francis Charles Clifford, born on December 15 1856, died on September 15 1931. He was married twice; the first time on November 14 1894 with Fanny Dora Charlton, who died June 6 1906, daughter of Thomas Broughton Charlton, of Chillwell Hall, Nottinghamshire; the second time, as her second husband, on July 29 1911 with Geraldine Coventry, widowed McKean, who died April 9 1925, daughter of William George Coventry. He had no issue.
5. Lucy Mary Clifford, died on January 21 1936. On February 7 1877, she married Arthur John Moore, of Mooresfort, Tipperary, who died on January 5 1904, by his mother grandson to the 9th Earl of Denbigh. They had one son.