Frank Rolleston

Francis Joseph Rolleston (11 May 1873 – 8 September 1946) was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.

Early life

Rolleston was born in Christchurch in 1873, the son of the last Superintendent of the Canterbury Province, William Rolleston and his wife Mary Rolleston. At the time of his birth, the family was living at Linwood House . His grandfather was Joseph Brittan (1805–1867), who was married to Sophia Brittan (died 1877).

From 1880 to 1884, the Rolleston family lived in Wellington. the incumbent Hall-Jones obtained 3479 votes versus 2432 votes for Rolleston.

He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922, when he defeated, with a majority of 282 votes, Percy Vinnell of the Labour Party. Rolleston and Vinnell contested the 1925 election, when Rolleston obtained a much increased majority of 2486 votes. Rolleston lost the 1928 election against Rev Clyde Carr of the Labour Party, who would go on and represent the electorate until 1962.

Rolleston was a Cabinet minister, being the Minister of Defence, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General from 1926 to 1928 in the Reform Government of New Zealand.

His brother John was also elected to Parliament in 1922 (representing Waitomo) and was also defeated in 1928.

Frank Rolleston was Mayor of Timaru from 1921 to 1923.

Awards and death Rolleston was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935, and the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937. He died on 8 September 1946 in Timaru.