Maurice O'Rorke

The Honourable Sir Maurice O'Rorke
George Maurice O’Rorke
5th Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office 1879–1890
Prime Minister	John Hall
In office 1894–1902
Prime Minister	Richard Seddon
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Onehunga (previously Town of Onehunga)
In office 1861–1881
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manukau
In office 1881–1890
In office 1893–1902
8th Superintendent of Auckland Province
In office February 1875 – March 1875
Personal details
Born	2 May 1830 Moylough, County Galway, Ireland
Died	25 August 1916(1916-08-25) (aged 86) Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Cecilia Mary Shepherd
Relations	Alexander Shepherd (father-in-law)
Children	Edward

Sir George Maurice O’Rorke (2 May 1830 – 25 August 1916) was a New Zealand politician, representing (as George O’Rorke) the Auckland seat of Onehunga, and later Manukau, and was Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a committed provincialist and was the eighth Superintendent of the Auckland Province. Upon receiving his knighthood in 1880, he became known as Sir Maurice.

Early life

O’Rorke was born in Moylough, County Galway, Ireland, the third son of the Rev John O’Rorke (an Anglican minister and large landowner) and his third wife Elizabeth (née Dennis). He went to Trinity College, Dublin, getting a B.A. with high honours in classics in 1852. Immediately after finishing his university education, he sailed for Melbourne, Australia. Whilst this was the time of the Victorian gold rush, this was not his motivation. Rather, he had had an uncle, Henry Dennis, who had settled as a squatter in the Darling Downs in the early 1840s, but who had perished in the sinking of the Sovereign near Moreton Bay in 1847. After working in Victoria, Australia, on a farm, he came to Auckland in 1854, farming in Papakura and Onehunga, Auckland. During the New Zealand Wars, he served as a Captain in the Auckland Militia.

Career

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1861–1866	3rd	Town of Onehunga			Independent
1866–1871	4th	Town of Onehunga			Independent
1871–1875	5th	Onehunga			Independent
1875–1879	6th	Onehunga			Independent
1879–1881	7th	Onehunga			Independent
1881–1884	8th	Manukau			Independent
1884–1887	9th	Manukau			Independent
1887–1890	10th	Manukau			Independent
1893–1896	12th	Manukau			Liberal
1896–1899	13th	Manukau			Liberal
1899–1902	14th	Manukau			Liberal

He represented Onehunga, which became Manukau, from 1861 to 1902, except for 1891–1893 when he was out of Parliament. He was Minister of Immigration and Crown Lands 1873–1874 in the Waterhouse, Fox and Vogel ministries, but was sacked by Vogel, dissatisfied with his performance. He supported the Provincial system in New Zealand, and spoke out against its abolition by Vogel. He served as Chairman of Committees from 1871 to 1872.

O'Rorke served on the Auckland Provincial Council as councillor from November 1865 to October 1876. From December 1865, he served as the council's 3rd (and last) Speaker. He was elected Superintendent in 1875 for a period of five weeks.

He was a notable Speaker of the House, serving from 11 July 1879 to 5 November 1902, except for 1891–1893. He supported education, and was in favour of Imperial Federation.

He was knighted in 1880, when he became Sir Maurice, although he had previously used George as his Christian name. In 1904 he was appointed to the Legislative Council, where he served until his death.

The student residential hall, O'Rorke Hall at the University of Auckland, is named after him.

Polo

A polo player, he was the Captain of the Auckland Polo Club.

Personal life

In 1858 he married Cecilia Mary Shepherd, daughter of Alexander Shepherd, the second Colonial Treasurer. They had one son, Edward (Eddie) Dennis O’Rorke (father of the architect Brian O'Rorke). Cecilia died on 19 September 1910. Sir Maurice died in Auckland in 1916, survived by his son.

References

• Chadwick, Joseph (1906). Men of Mark in the World of Sport in New Zealand. Brett Prtg. & Publishing Company. auckland Polo Club.
• Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.