John Coster

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1884–1886 9th Heathcote Independent

John Lewis Coster (1838 – 17 December 1886) was a 19th-century member of parliament from Christchurch, New Zealand. He was mostly known for his business interests.

Biography[edit]

Coster was born in Exeter, and emigrated to Sydney at the age of 16. He quickly rose to leading positions and the management of the Union Bank of Australia sent him to Christchurch in March 1859. There, he transferred to the Bank of New Zealand and became manager of the branch in Christchurch. On Coster's initiative, the New Zealand Shipping Company was founded in 1873, and he was its managing executive for many years.[1]

He represented the Heathcote electorate from 1884 to 1886, when he died.[2]

He was sick during the last two years of his life. Since he returned from a business trip to London in March 1886, he was unable to work, and he died on 17 December 1886 at his residence in Opawa at the age of 48.[1] He is buried at the Heathcote Cemetery.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Obituary". The Star. No. 5804. 18 December 1886. p. 3. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  2. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 190. OCLC 154283103.
  3. ^ "Funeral Notices". The Press. Vol. XLIII, no. 6627. 18 December 1886. p. 1. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Heathcote
1884–1886
Succeeded by