Normanby Street

The name is shared by a village in Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. The Normanby Hotel in Brisbane, a survivor from horse and buggy days, was built in 1889, and is listed by the National Trust.

So where did the name originate?

Two men, father and son, who had the title Marquess of Normanby, held key positions in the early development of New Zealand.

Constantine Phipps was Secretary of State for the Colonies when the British relationship with New Zealand was being finalised. He approved the annexation of New Zealand to Britain and approved Captain William Hobson as the first Lieutenant-Governor.

His son, George Phipps, a British politician and colonial governor, inherited the honorary title. Born in 1819 in London, he began his career by joining the Coldstream Guards, rising to lieutenant in 1838. He was elected to parliament as member for Scarborough in 1847. His administrative skill led to various jobs, culminating in his appointment as Governor of Nova Scotia in 1858.

Other appointments in colonial administration followed, Governor of Queensland, of New Zealand, and of Victoria. A move was made to place him as Governor of South Australia, but the citizens of that colony made formal complaints and the process was stopped.

His time as Governor of New Zealand was notable for disagreeing with Premier George Grey, himself a former governor. In resolving the disputes, Lord Normanby demonstrated a clear and full understanding of constitutional principles.

Normanby went on to finish his days in the House of Lords. He died aged 71 at Brighton in 1890.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.