James William Thomson

James William Thomson (1828 – 4 August 1907) was a 19th-century conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

Early life

Thomson was born in Auchterarder, Scotland, in 1828.^[1] He obtained his education at the University of Edinburgh, where he obtained an MA. He came to New Zealand in 1859 and settled in Balclutha.^[2]

Political career

Provincial Council

He was elected onto the Otago Provincial Council for the Clutha electorate in October 1864. He remained on the Provincial Council until May 1873.^[3] For two days in May 1868, he was a member of the Otago Executive Council.^[4] He was a provincialist.^[5]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1871–1875	5th	Clutha			Independent
1876–1879	6th	Clutha			Independent
1879–1881	7th	Clutha			Independent
1881–1884	8th	Clutha			Independent
1884–1887	9th	Clutha			Independent
1890–1892	11th	Bruce			Independent
1896–1899	13th	Clutha			Independent
1899–1902	14th	Clutha			Independent
1902–1905	15th	Clutha			Independent

Thomson represented the Clutha electorate from 1871 to 1887 when he was defeated.^[6] He then represented Bruce from 1890 to 1892, when he resigned.^[6] He did not stand for election in the 1893 election.^[2] Finally he represented the Clutha electorate again from 1896 to 1905, when he retired.^[6]

Minister

Thomson was for three months in 1879 Minister of Lands in the Grey Ministry.^[7]