Richmond Hursthouse was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in Nelson, New Zealand, and a cabinet minister

1876–1879 6th Motueka Independent 1879–1881 7th Motueka Independent 1881–1884 8th Motueka Independent 1884–1887 9th Motueka Independent

Richmond Hursthouse:  Introductory speech to his Waimea west electorate:

He was defeated in 1890 when he stood for Waimea-Picton Electorate (it was contested by Mills, Richmond Hursthouse and William Henry Phillips, who received 936, 728 and 80 votes, respectively and Mills was elected) He stood for Motueka in 1896, and for the City of Nelson electorate in 1893 and 1899, coming second each time. When Motueka became a borough council in 1899, Richmond Hursthouse was the town's first mayor.

Relief Fund Aid - 1877:  Motueka floods

1901: SUDDEN DEATH. Nelson, Sept. 2: Mrs Hursthouse, wife of Mr Richmond Hurstbouse, Mayor of Motueka, died suddenly last evening, Mr Hursthouse was absent at Wellington at the time.

1902 11 Nov: ILLNESS OF MR. RICHMOND HURSTHOUSE. HIS CONDITION CRITICAL. (From our own Correspondent.) MOTUEKA.. This Day. A privato telegram received to-day states that Mr Richmond Hursthouse, formerly of Motueka, is lying dangerously ill of pleuro-pneumonia in the New Plymouth hospital, the doctors having little hope of his recovery.

Wanganui Herald, 12 Nov 1902: NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov 11: Mr R. Hursthouse, one, of the candidates for the Egmont seat died in the hospital this evening.

OBITUARY. MR RICHMOND HURSTHOUSE. Mr Richmond Hursthouse, who was a candidate for the Egmont seat, died on Tuesday afternoon at the New Plymouth Hospital, consequent on an attack of pneumonia. The News says: It was seen on Tuesday morning that there was little hope of recovery, and the sufferer gradually sank until he passed away about half-past four in the afternoon. When addressing the electors at Kaimata on Friday last he spoke under great difficulties, but with the true grit of his race he persevered with his campaign and went to Urenui to address the electors there. It- was not to be, however, for on Sunday his condition was so alarming that he was brought into New Plymouth. The strain on his constitution had, however, been too great, and he lay in a semi-conscious state until the end came. Under ordinary circumstances the death of such a sterling man as Mr Hursthouse has proved himself to be would have been felt with great regret, but how much the more must this feeling be accentuated by the peculiar conditions which were extant. The late Mr Hursthouse was born on May 5th, 1845, at Vogeltown, New Plymouth, where his parents (who arrived here in 1842) were then living. His earlier education was undertaken by his mother— a particularly talented lady— but the finishing touches were received at Nelson College. During the Maori war Mr Hursthouse served with the militia, and held a lieutenant's commission, receiving a medal and a grant of land. After the war he left Taranaki and settled at Motueka, Nelson, devoting his attention to farming and fruit growing, the latter being his special forte. During his long residence there he became very popular, and served for many years on the Nelson Education and Land Boards, and was also Mayor of Motueka. Clever and clear-headed, he became an excellent man of business, and brought considerable ability to bear on private and public affairs. Political life had also a great attraction for him, and three times he was returned to represent Motueka in Parliament. He was also a Cabinet Minister for a short time. At the last election he contested the Nelson seat, but was defeated by Mr Graham, the sitting member. One of his objects in contesting the Egmont seat was that he contemplated settling down in this district, as he had disposed of his property at Motueka. While in the House he proved himself one of the best speakers in that Assembly, his native humour adding a piquancy to his utterances, and serving him in good stead during his election campaigns.

Soon after settling at Nelson Mr Hursthouse married a daughter of Dr. Fearon, and it was only last year that his wife died. He leaves a family of seven children, four daughters and three sons.

Taranaki Herald, 12 November 1902: DEATH OF ME RICHMOND HURSTHOUSE. We regret exceedingly to have to record the death, which occurred at the hospital shortly before 5 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, of pneumonia, of Mr Richmond Hursthouse, who was one of the candidates for the Egmont seat. The late Mr Richmond H«rsthouse was the second son of the late John.Hursthouse, who arrived in Taranaki, with his brother Charles, and his wife and three children in 1842. He was born at his father's farm on the Carrington Road on 5th May, 1845. He was educated in Taranaki, and on the outbreak of the war went with his mother and others of the family to Nelson, where his education was completed at the Nelson College. He subsequently returned to Taranaki and joined the Militia, and .was engaged against the rebel natives. He subsequently obtained a lieutenancy in the Taranaki regiment of military settiers. In the early  seventies Mr Hursthouse removed to Motueka in the Nelson Province and engaged in farming and fruit growing pursuits from that time until the early part of this year. He married a daughter of the late Captain Fearon, of Motueka. His mother Mrs Hursthouse died in September, I89I.

Mr Hursthouse was elected three times as a member of the House of Representatives for the Motueka electorate, and during the first  Premiorship: of the late Sir Harry Atkinson in 1876  Mr Hursthouse held for a brief period the portfolio of Minister of Lands. In consequence of an alteration in the electoral boundaries of the Motueka district by which it became joined to part of the West Coast district,  Mr Hursthouse was not returned and  he was  also defeated for the Nelson City electorate in 1899.

Mr Hursthouse has held several offices of a public nature. He was many years a member of the Nelson Land board and also of the Nelson Education Board besides holding office. He inherited the facility of public speaking  from his father, and whilst in the House was recognised as one of the best debaters of his time, and was very popular, from the vein of humour that characterised his speaking. Mr- Hursthouse was a man of great integrity of character, and was universally respected for his straight-forwardness. He. leaves four sons, and four daughters to mourn his loss. The eldest son Mr John Hursthouse, being in the service of the Union Steam Ship Co. 

Mr Hursthouse had disposed of his interests in Nelson with view of settling in his old home in Taranaki when at a comparatively early age of 57 died by an attack of prneumonia which he struggled against for some time. Only a few weeks ago he came toTaranaki for change and holiday and was injuced against his wishes, to become a candidate for the Egmont seat.  Once having consented to nomination, he entered into the contest with spirit and determination and rapidly made headway, gainiiig many friends by his pleasant  manner and straightforward speeches in the course of his campaign. In the country he contracted a severe cold against which however, he struggled unwisely perhaps, endeavouring to keep his electoral engagements. The result was that pneumonia supervened, necessitating his removal to the hospital on Sunday when he gradually sank, the end coming on Tuesday afternoon. Though for the past 30 years, he has been almost a stranger in Taranaki, he had during the past few weeks, made very many .friends who will join with us in regretting his untimely decease and in sympathising with his family and relatives in their loss.

The sad new of the death of  Mr Hursthouse was received at Waitara on Tuesday night with feelings of sincere regret: During his few brief visits to Waitara, he made many friends and commanded a high respect from all: Those politically opposed to him, admired his straightforward, honest manner.

Colonist, 13 Nov 1905: Three sons of the late Mr Richmond Hursthouse, who was Motueka's first Mayor, recently went to England. Mr J. F. Hnrsthouse, after a short stay in London, proceeded to America to continue his dental studies at Philadelphia. Mr W. R. Hursthonse has entered the National Dental Hospital at London for a course of studies. Mr L. F. Hursthouse has commenced his engineering studios at the Northampton Institute.

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