Date of Birth

16 January 1851 at Folkestone, Kent, England

Died

19 June 1936 at Wellington

Married

Rosalind Lucy Purss 1877

Children

Two sons and three daughters

Education

• English public schools
• Apprenticeship as a joiner

Career

• Member of Timaru Borough Council (five years)
• Member of Levels Road Board (three years)
• MP for Timaru 1890-1908
• Government Whip 1891-93
• Minister of Justice, Public Works, Marine and Railways in Seddon administration
• Became Acting Prime Minister in 1906 when Seddon visited Australia

On Seddon’s death several weeks later Hall-Jones agreed to become Prime Minister but only until the return from overseas of Sir Joseph Ward. Hall-Jones was a Minister in the Ward Government and in 1908 became New Zealand High Commissioner to London, serving four years. On returning to New Zealand he became a member of the Legislative Council until his death. Seddon said of Hall-Jones : “He is the best administrator I have in my cabinet.”

Honours

• Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) 1910
• Life Member Timaru Oddfellows Lodge
• Awarded the Freedom of Folkestone 1928

Last updated: 16 Sep 2021