John Bollard

John Bollard (1839 or 1840 – 23 March 1915) was an independent conservative, then Reform Party, Member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was elected to the Eden electorate in the 1896 general election, and retired in 1914.

Biography

Bollard was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, on either 17 December 1839 or 1 January 1840. in Avondale their entire married life.

Bollard farmed for several years, then became a land agent and valuer.

In 1911 he was part of a group of people who formed the Eden Ramblers rugby league football club at a meeting in Avondale. He was elected president for their inaugural season. The club, which was largely based in the Avondale and Point Chevalier areas, only lasted until midway through the 1913 season.

His wife Jane, with whom he had 14 children, died in 1928. Their eldest son, Richard Bollard, was also a Member of Parliament. During the term of the 18th New Zealand Parliament, they were MPs at the same time.