W. D. H. Baillie

William Douglas Hall Baillie (22 February 1827 – 24 February 1922) was a New Zealand politician. He was known as W. D. H. Baillie and often referred to as Captain Baillie owing to his military background.

Early life Baillie was born in 1827 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents were Thomas Baillie from Scotland Baillie Jr. received his education at Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He received a commission to the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot and spent six years in India, where he saw action in the Second Anglo-Sikh War, with battles at the Chenab River, at Sadoolapore, Chillianwala, and Gujrat. He returned to England in 1853 and was promoted to the rank of captain. He was the second Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council. From 1890, Baillie's vision deteriorated and later on, he was totally blind. He was last elected as Chairman of Committees in 1901 when he consented to stand in a ballot; the intention was to keep out the government nominee, William Cowper Smith. Once Smith was eliminated from the ballot, Baillie wanted to withdraw, but the Speaker would not allow him to speak over a misunderstanding. When the other remaining candidate, John Rigg, withdrew, Baillie was declared elected.

Hannah Baillie died on 12 November 1919 in Wellington. Captain Baillie died aged 95 at his daughter's residence in Maoribank, Upper Hutt, New Zealand on 24 February 1922. The Baillies are buried at Karori Cemetery. Two of his sons had died before him.