Francis Hart Viceimus Guinness

Frank Guinness was an indigo planter in India by 1844, possibly with the East India Company. There he married Catherine Marian Richardson at Patna, on 16 November 1844; they were to have seven children. The family emigrated first to Australia and then, in August 1852, to New Zealand on the Tory. Guinness became a cadet on Michael John Burke's station, Halswell, and although he selected a run of 6,000 acres on the Halswell River, was unable to hold it, being at this time 'chronically hard up'. He then became a horse dealer and later an auctioneer and land salesman in Christchurch. He was active in sporting and social circles, helping to form the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Canterbury Rifle Volunteers, and taking second place in the 1861 Anniversary Day rifle shooting match. He was appointed lieutenant in No 1 Company of the Rifle Volunteers in 1860 and captain in 1861. Source: Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Francis Hart Vicesimus Guinness, generally known as Frank, was born Sept 18th 1819 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland . His father's name was Hosea Guinness. His mother was Jane Hart.

Frank Guinness was an indigo planter in India by 1844, possibly with the East India Company. There he married Catherine Marion Richardson at Patna, on 16 November 1844; Daughter of Christopher Rowland Richardson & Catherine Martha Anne Humphreys, who married Col Christopher Rowland Richardson Sr in Montgomery, Wales, in 1812.

He gave his prior address as Province of Trikoot, West Bengal India They were to have seven children,

1. Sir Arthur Robert Guinness – 1846-1913 ( NZ Speaker of the House)
2. Edwin Rowland Guinness –1847-1930
3. John Clephane Guinness –1949- 1904
4. Frank Hart Guinness, – 1851 -1895
5. Catherine Mary Guinness – 20th Feb 1856-1918 ( Married Frederick Charles RICHARDSON) Moved to England
6. Emily Jane ( Jennie) 17th May 1864-17 May1932 ( Married John CAMPBELL ) Moved to Austrailia
7. Benjamin Michael Valentine Guinness -1860-1920

The family with four children ,emigrated first to Melbourne Australia and then, in August 1852, to Lyttelton New Zealand on the barque Tory, Guinness became a cadet on Michael John Burke's station, Halswell, and although he awarded the first licence in Feb 1854 6,000 acres backing on the Halswell River at Tai Tapu, to Ladbrooks (Run 138, afterwards re-numbered 110, Class II) affectionately call the Guinness Run, as the preferred name of Halswell Station was often recognised as his cousin Burke’s land grant . Sadly after 5 years hard work and the building of their first homestead. unable to hold it, being at this time 'chronically hard up’. Was transferred to Thomas Barrett in 1860

The was also allocated a 50acres at Papanui Christchurch ( Block 307) He then became a horse dealer and later an auctioneer and land salesman in Christchurch. He was active in sporting and social circles, helping to form the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Canterbury Rifle Volunteers, and taking second place in the 1861 Anniversary Day rifle shooting match. He was appointed lieutenant in No 1 Company of the Rifle Volunteers in 1860 and captain in 1861.

Looking for more secure employment, Guinness had joined the Canterbury Province Armed Police Force as a sub-inspector in 1858-1862. Initially in charge of the Christchurch station, he was posted temporarily to Akaroa from late 1862 to 1864. (2nd Class Inspector) He was threatened with losing this position when the necessity of having an inspector at such a small place was questioned. His superiors also disapproved of his political sympathies, for he openly expressed a concern for the interests of working people, including policemen. He resigned in December 1864, and in 1865 was appointed postmaster and clerk to the Bench at Akaroa. His resignation from these positions seems to have been precipitated in the same year as he was adjudged bankrupt.

A second phase in Guinness's career opened with his appointments as warden's clerk to the goldfields at Greymouth in 1867 and as receiver of gold revenue in 1869. Served on the Westland & Gray Valley Provincial Councils 1872 ,Nelson In 1872 he was appointed justice of the peace and resided at Ahaura. He moved in 1874 to Collingwood, Nelson, where he had been appointed resident magistrate. Oct 28th 1874 (New Zealand Gazette).

His political views of supporting the underpaid and social reform was such that there were said to have been protests when he was transferred to Ashburton in 1879. He returned to Christchurch in 1882 where, after a brief return to auctioneering, he took over a horse repository, saleyards and produce store, retiring in 1883.

After his retirement Guinness became prominent in the nascent radical labour movement. In 1881 the Working Men's Political Association had been formed in Christchurch with the aim of achieving worker representation in Parliament. The association's programme included protection of local industry, a land and income tax and payment for members of the House of Representatives. Members were also active in pressing for land nationalisation, closely restricted immigration and the eight hour day.

There were close links between the leadership of the WMPA and the rationalist-humanist Freethought Association. In 1883 Guinness, almost certainly a member of the latter, became president of the WMPA and actively promoted ideas which echoed the views of Henry George and Karl Marx. During 1884 Guinness, now vice president of the WMPA, was part of an enthusiastic group which gave a tumultuous hearing to another who had become more radical with age, Sir George Grey. Grey was especially well received on account of his support for the notion of taxing the unearned increment. Guinness seconded a motion of thanks. The WMPA, apparently driven by faction on fundamental issues, in particular the nationalisation of land, went into recess during 1885 with the suggestion that a new society be formed on a revised platform.

During 1887 a meeting of Christchurch unemployed formed a Canterbury Labour Union and soon adopted the rules and name of the American-based Knights of Labour, which sought to promote the interests of industrial workers along with land nationalisation and a state bank. Guinness was added to the standing committee after a strong attack on 'the great evil of introducing assisted immigrants'. He showed further concern for the unemployed the following year by moving that the New Zealand Knights of Labour urge the government to provide relief work building roads out of Christchurch. As president of the Working Men's Association, supported a Mr. Richardson for Selwyn, instead of standing himself. He also spoke strongly in support of replacing the property tax with a land and income tax.

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 10th May 1879: Frank Guinness, RM. at Ashburton and Geraldine, have now jurisdiction up to LIOO

CHRISTCHURCH. Feb 19 1883 Poverty Bay Herald: Frank Guinness died aged 72, 18th July 1891 at Wellington, after having surgery . His body was conveyed to Christchurch abourd the Steamer Wairaapa his wife had died in 11th February the same year at 17 Armagh Street. And is Buried Block 10 Plot 10 Lynwood Cemetery Christchurch, with his son Benjamin Michael Vicesimus Guinness (age66) adjacent to his wife Catherine Block 10 Plot 9

Tombstone reads Frank H V Guinness, died 18 July 1891 aged 71. Also his wife, Catherine Marian, died 11 Feb 1891 aged 72. Also Benjamin Michael Vallentine Guinness, son of above, died 5 Mar 1920 aged 66.

THE LATE MR FRANK GUINNESS (Wellington Evening Post, July 18th 1891). It is with great regret we have to record the death this morning early, at the Hospital, of Mr Frank Guinness, father of Mr A. R. Guinness, MHH, and well known in both Canterbury and the West Coast of the Middle Island. The deceased gentleman, who was 72 years of age, arrived in this colony from Australia in 1852, and has since filled with conspicuous credit many public positions in this colony. He was Inspector of Police in Canterbury, and subsequently Postmaster and Clerk to the Bench at Akaroa. By the late Mr Sefton Moorhouse he was appointed a Receiver of Gold Revenue on the West Coast, and when he retired further on from the Government service he became a member in turn of the Westland county council and the Nelson provincial council. Ultimately he was appointed harden at Collingwood, and then Resident Magistrate at Ashburton, from which position he had not long retired. BUt recently returned from Australia, whither he went in search of health, he was staying in this city for a visit , when the. illness which caused his death seized upon him. Removed to the hospital, he underwent an operation at the hands of Drs Collins and Fell, and was apparently making fair way towards recovery. Great exhaustion, however, supervened, and finally the worst symptoms developed, his death occurring as above. Deceased, who will be buried in Christchurch, leaves two daughters and five sons, who will have a host of SympathizerS with them in their bereavement, following so close as it does upon the death of their mother in February last

Sources

1. John Rosanowski. 'Guinness, Francis Hart Vicesimus', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1g24/guinness-francis-hart-vic... (accessed 8 November 2021)