Frederick Robert Flatman (1843 – 21 September 1911) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament of the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

for the Pareora and Geraldine electorates.

Early life

Flatman was born in

Suffolk Suffolk ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Norfolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Essex to the south, and Cambridgeshire to the west. Ipswich is the largest settlement and the county ...

in 1843 and went to school in

Oulton Broad Oulton Broad refers to both the lake and the suburb of Lowestoft, Suffolk, England. The suburb is located west of the centre of Lowestoft. It became a civil parish in 2017. It had an estimated population of 10,338 at the 2011 United Kingdom cen ...

. He came to Lyttelton on the ''Mary Ann'' in 1862 and went to South Canterbury. He was a successful businessman, and was storekeeper in Geraldine and Woodbury, and a sawmiller, before he concentrated on farming.

Member of Parliament

Flatman represented the Pareora and Geraldine electorates for fifteen years (1893–1908) in the

New Zealand House of Representatives The House of Representatives () is the Unicameral, sole chamber of the New Zealand Parliament. The House passes Law of New Zealand, laws, provides Ministers in the New Zealand Government, ministers to form the Cabinet of New Zealand, Cabinet, ...

. He defeated Arthur Rhodes for the Pareora electorate in 1893 by 1594 to 1377 votes. From 1904 to 1906 Flatman served as the Liberal Party's senior whip. In 1908 he was defeated by

William Nosworthy Sir William Nosworthy (18 October 1867 – 26 September 1946) was a New Zealand politician. He briefly served as Minister of Finance and then Minister of External Affairs in the Reform Government. Biography Early life Nosworthy was born on ...

for the Ashburton electorate in the second ballot.Flatman represented the Pareora and Geraldine electorates for fifteen years (1893–1908) in the

. He defeated Arthur Rhodes for the Pareora electorate in 1893 by 1594 to 1377 votes. From 1904 to 1906 Flatman served as the Liberal Party's senior whip. In 1908 he was defeated by

for the Ashburton electorate in the second ballot. Flatman represented the Pareora and Geraldine electorates for fifteen years (1893–1908) in the

. He defeated Arthur Rhodes for the Pareora electorate in 1893 by 1594 to 1377 votes. From 1904 to 1906 Flatman served as the Liberal Party's senior whip. In 1908 he was defeated by

for the Ashburton electorate in the second ballot. The ''

Lyttelton Times The ''Lyttelton Times'' was the first newspaper in Canterbury, New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand, publishing the first edition in January 1851. It was established by the Canterbury Association as part of its planned community, planned settlem ...

'' described Frederick Flatman as a member:

"''not of the ornamental type, but plain, blunt, possessing strong convictions, straightforward manners and simple directness of speech. He also acquired in 3 years a surprising grasp and mastery of political questions. He was certainly the best of the South Island farmer members-perhaps the best in New Zealand. He was a fine man''."

Death

He died on 21 September 1911 at Woodbury near Geraldine.

References

Sources

* , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Flatman, Frederick 1843 births 1911 deaths New Zealand Liberal Party MPs Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand businesspeople New Zealand sawmillers New Zealand MPs for South Island electorates Unsuccessful candidates in the 1908 New Zealand general election 19th-century New Zealand politicians British emigrants to New Zealand