{{Short description|New Zealand politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}} [[File:Joseph Ivess.jpg|thumb|Ivess, circa 1905.]] '''Joseph Ivess''' (8 February 1844 – 4 September 1919) was a member of the [[New Zealand House of Representatives]]. He had an association with a large number of newspapers.
==Early life and Australia== Joseph Ivess was born in [[Askeaton]], [[County Limerick]], Ireland in 1844. His parents were John Pope Ivess and Anne Southwell. The family emigrated to [[Melbourne]], Australia on the [[barque]], Alcyone, leaving Liverpool in September 1852.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1856-10-03|title=THE BIGAMY CASE.|pages=5|work=Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7137671|access-date=2021-08-22}}</ref> Four of his obituaries said he attended Barnett's Grammar School<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 Sep 1919|title=OBITUARY. ASHBURTON GUARDIAN|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19190906.2.4|access-date=2021-08-22|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> in [[South Melbourne, Victoria|Emerald Hill]],<ref name="DNZB Ivess">{{DNZB|Harvey|Ross|2i3|Ivess, Joseph|14 April 2012}}</ref> but no other sources mention such a school. His father became a police sergeant.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1855-11-02|title=MELBOURNE.|pages=1|work=Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 - 1843; 1854 - 1876)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71573066|access-date=2021-08-21}}</ref> In 1864, he married Sarah Ann Reddin at [[Castlemaine, Victoria]]. In 1865 a Joseph Ivess, printer, was owed £38 in Maldon.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1865-11-23|title=INSOLVENT COURT.|pages=7|work=Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155038299|access-date=2021-08-22}}</ref> In 1866, he worked on the staff of the ''Bendigo Independent''.<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /> A photograph of Ivess with his family shows nine children.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} His obituaries listed 8 surviving children, Mrs Helena Lister, Mrs Barrett, Florence and Elizabeth Ivess, all living in [[Christchurch]], John Ivess ([[Palmerston North]]), Joseph Ivess<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 Sep 1919|title=OBITUARY. STAR (CHRISTCHURCH)|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19190905.2.73|access-date=2021-08-21|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and Charles Ivess, a billiard saloon owner in [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 Feb 1946|title=OBITUARY. GISBORNE HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GISH19460207.2.104|access-date=2021-08-21|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
==New Zealand== On his arrival in New Zealand in 1868 he began work as the manager, and perhaps printer, of the ''New Zealand Celt'' at [[Hokitika]].<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /> It is hardly surprising that an Irishman emigrating from Melbourne to New Zealand would land at Hokitika. The West Coast gold fields were at that time full of fellow countrymen and shipping routes made that coast a natural landfall. Ivess probably found employment rapidly as the manager of the New Zealand Celt, the Irish Catholic Party's newspaper whose proprietor John Manning was charged with [[seditious libel]] for erecting a memorial to the [[Manchester Martyrs|Fenian martyrs]] of [[Manchester]] in the Hokitika Cemetery. It may have been in this heady political atmosphere that the seeds of Ivess's political ambitions were planted and nurtured. By 1870 Ivess had definitely established a printing business at Hokitika in partnership with George Tilbrook, as shown by advertisements in the first issue of the Tomahawk (5 March 1870) and subsequent issues. This heavily satirical weekly and its successor, the ''Lantern'', must also have encouraged Ivess in his political aspirations, for they relied on criticism of local and national political events for their effect. Even at this early stage in his career Ivess demonstrated a propensity for attracting legal action, being named as a defendant in a libel action in the Tomahawk (16 and 30 April 1870). To be fair, Ivess was not alone among newspapermen in being sued frequently. Conservative [[Defamation|libel]] laws were retained in New Zealand long after they had been redrafted in England and resulted in frequent lawsuits of which Ivess attracted his fair share.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}
He remained in and about the West Coast for the next eight years, but after 1875 his base became the [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]] region, and particularly [[Ashburton, New Zealand|Ashburton]].<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /> He started 45 newspapers in New South Wales and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 Sep 1919|title=OBITUARY. OTAGO WITNESS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19190912.2.36|access-date=2021-08-22|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
===Political career=== {{NZ parlbox header|nolist=true|align=right}} {{NZ parlbox |start = {{By-election link year|Wakanui|1882}} |end = 1884 |term = 8th |electorate = {{NZ electorate link|Wakanui}} |party = Independent politician }} {{NZ parlbox break}} {{NZ parlbox |start = {{By-election link year|Wakanui|1885}} |end = 1887 |term = 9th |electorate = Wakanui |party = Independent politician }} {{End}} Ivess represented the Inangahua electorate on the [[Nelson Provincial Council]] from 21 January 1873 until the abolition of the Provinces on 31 October 1876.<ref>{{cite book |last= Scholefield |first= Guy |title= New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 |edition=3rd |orig-date= First ed. published 1913 |year= 1950 |publisher=Govt. Printer |location= Wellington |page=212}}</ref>
He used his various newspaper interests to increase his name recognition for election purposes. In September 1875, the first hint appeared that he would challenge [[Harry Atkinson]] in the {{NZ electorate link|Egmont}} electorate at the next general election, although it was clear that he would not stand a chance against the [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Colonial Treasurer]].<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /> The election was held on [[1875–1876 New Zealand general election|3 January 1876]]<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book |last= Wilson |first= Jim | author-link=Jim Wilson (librarian) |title= New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 |edition= 4th |orig-date= First ed. published 1913 |year= 1985 |publisher=V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer |location= Wellington |oclc= 154283103 |page=181}}</ref> and Atkinson defeated Ivess by 225 votes to 73.<ref name="Egmont election, 1876">{{cite news |title=Telegrams |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TC18760106.2.13 |accessdate=13 April 2012 |work=Colonist |volume=XVIII |issue=2016 |date=6 January 1876|page=3}}</ref>
Ivess was one of the original nine councillors of the Ashburton Borough Council in September 1878.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashburton borough elections |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18780905.2.16 |accessdate=3 December 2019 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=XXX |issue=4090 |date=5 September 1878 |page=2}}</ref> He was beaten by [[Hugo Friedlander]] for the [[Mayor of Ashburton|Ashburton mayoralty]] in November 1879.<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /><ref>{{cite news |title=The Ashburton mayoral election |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ASHH18791127.2.12 |accessdate=3 December 2019 |work=Ashburton Herald |volume=II |issue=511 |date=27 November 1879 |page=3}}</ref> Ivess contested the {{NZ electorate link|Wakanui}} electorate in [[South Canterbury]] in the {{NZ election link|1881}} against [[Cathcart Wason]] and [[Charles Purnell]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The General Elections |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18811202.2.14 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=[[The Star (Christchurch)|The Star]] |date=2 December 1881|issue=4248|page=3}}</ref> Ivess petitioned against Wason's election win on numerous grounds. The election petitions court started hearing the case in February 1882.<ref name="Election Petition Court">{{cite news|title=Election Petition Court |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18820222.2.30 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=[[The Star (Christchurch)|The Star]] |date=22 February 1882|issue=4316 |page=4}}</ref> Members were sworn in on 18 May 1882 for the first session of the [[8th New Zealand Parliament|8th Parliament]]. Wason was not present.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thursday, May 18 |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CL18820526.2.7.1 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=Clutha Leader |volume=VIII |issue=450 |date=26 May 1882 |page=3}}</ref> On the following day, the results of the various election petitions were read out, and the 1881 Wakanui election was declared void. Wason lost his seat in Parliament without having ever taken it.<ref>{{cite news|title=Friday, 19 May |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CL18820526.2.7.2 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=Clutha Leader |volume=VIII |issue=450 |date=26 May 1882 |page=3}}</ref> A 16 June [[1882 Wakanui by-election|1882 by-election]] was held, which was contested by [[Alfred Saunders]] and Ivess.<ref name="Wakanui nomination 1882">{{cite news|title=Local & General |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18820612.2.10 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=[[The Star (Christchurch)|The Star]] |date=12 June 1882|issue=4409 |page=2}}</ref> Ivess and Saunders received 604 and 541 votes, and Ivess was thus declared elected.<ref name="Wakanui by-election 1882">{{cite news|title=Wakanui Election |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18820617.2.15 |accessdate=31 July 2010 |work=[[The Star (Christchurch)|The Star]] |date=17 June 1882|issue=4414 |page=3}}</ref>
In the {{NZ election link|1884}}, Ivess was beaten by [[John Grigg (New Zealand politician)|John Grigg]].<ref name="General Election, 1884">{{cite web |title=The General Election, 1884 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&cl=search&d=AJHR1884-II.2.2.3.5 |publisher=National Library |accessdate=17 March 2012 |pages=1–3 |year=1884}}</ref> Grigg resigned in mid-1885, and this caused the {{By-election link|Wakanui|1885}}, at which Ivess was re-elected.<ref>{{cite book |last= Scholefield |first= Guy |title= New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 |authorlink=Guy Scholefield |edition=3rd |orig-date= First ed. published 1913 |year= 1950 |publisher=Govt. Printer |location= Wellington |page=116}}</ref>
Having moved to the North Island, Ivess contested the {{NZ electorate link|Napier}} electorate in the {{NZ election link|1887}} against the incumbent [[John Davies Ormond]], but was beaten.<ref name="General Election, 1887">{{cite web |title=The General Election, 1887 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&cl=search&d=AJHR1887-II.2.1.9.13 |publisher=National Library |accessdate=25 February 2012 |pages=1–4 |year=1887}}</ref> After that, he lived in [[New South Wales]] for some years.<ref name="DNZB Ivess" />
Back in New Zealand from 1893, he concentrated his activities in the North Island, especially in the [[Taranaki]] and [[Rangitikei, New Zealand|Rangitikei]] areas. He returned for some years to Ashburton around the turn of the century, and from 1903 based himself in the central North Island. A description of Ivess in late 1875 portrayed him as a "fine plump man with a well-groomed appearance. He wore a moustache and a little bunch of hair on his under lip, as was customary in some professional men of those days. . . . Always an optimist, it was hard for others to compete with him."<ref name="DNZB Ivess" />
Ivess stood in several more elections,<ref name="DNZB Ivess" /> including {{NZ electorate link|Ashburton}} in {{NZ election link year|1896}},<ref name="General Election, 1896">{{cite news |title=Public Notices |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AG18961207.2.26.4 |accessdate=17 January 2014 |work=[[Ashburton Guardian]] |date=7 December 1896 |volume=XVII |issue=4061 |page=3}}</ref> and {{NZ electorate link|Selwyn}} in {{NZ election link year|1902}}, {{NZ election link year|1905}} and {{NZ election link year|1908}} (every time beaten by [[Charles Albert Creery Hardy|Charles Hardy]]).<ref name="General Election, 1902">{{cite web|title=The General Election, 1902 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&cl=search&d=AJHR1903-I.2.3.2.48 |publisher=National Library|accessdate=8 February 2012|page=2|year=1903}}</ref><ref name="General Election, 1905">{{cite web|title=The General Election, 1905 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&cl=search&d=AJHR1906-I.2.1.5.7 |publisher=National Library|accessdate=8 February 2012|page=3|year=1906}}</ref><ref name="General Election, 1908">{{cite web |title=The General Election, 1908 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1909-II.2.5.2.12 |publisher=National Library|accessdate=14 April 2012|page=19 |date=June 1906}}</ref> He contested the {{NZ election link|1911}} in the {{NZ electorate link|Waimarino}} electorate as an [[Independent Liberal]], but was eliminated in the [[Second Ballot Act 1908|first ballot]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wellington Province |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=PBH19111208.2.35.2.1 |accessdate=15 November 2013 |work=Poverty Bay Herald |date=8 December 1911 |volume=XXXVIII |issue=12632 |page=5}}</ref>
===Death and commemoration=== Ivess died on 4 September 1919 in Christchurch, New Zealand and was buried at [[Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch|Linwood Cemetery]] two days later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database|url= http://librarydata.christchurch.org.nz/Cemeteries/interment.asp?id=91251 |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref>
In 1994 [[Ivess Peak]] was officially named after Joseph Ivess. At {{Convert|1749|m|abbr=on}}, it is the tallest peak in the [[Victoria Ranges]], between [[Reefton]], [[Springs Junction]] and [[Maruia]], in the South Island.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ivess Peak|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/2217|access-date=2021-08-21|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz}}</ref> [[Reefton#Broadcast and print media|Inangahua Herald]], Reefton's first newspaper, was founded by Ivess in 1872.<ref name="DNZB Ivess" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ivess, Joseph}} [[Category:1844 births]] [[Category:1919 deaths]] [[Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives]] [[Category:Irish emigrants to New Zealand]] [[Category:People from Ashburton, New Zealand]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1875–1876 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1881 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1884 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1887 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1896 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1902 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1905 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1908 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1911 New Zealand general election]] [[Category:New Zealand MPs for South Island electorates]] [[Category:19th-century New Zealand politicians]] [[Category:Burials at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch]]