Samuel Paull Andrews

Originally from the Isle of Wight, he was the first working class man to become a Member of Parliament in his chosen country.

[2] He emigrated to Victoria in Australia in 1854 and spent ten years there, initially gold mining.

[1] He was elected to the 6th provincial council on 29 July 1872,[3] narrowly defeating John Cracroft Wilson and his victory was celebrated by carrying him through the streets.

[3] Andrews first stood for Parliament in the 1875 general election in the three member City of Christchurch electorate.

[8] When William White resigned from the Sydenham electorate in March 1886 on medical advice,[9] Andrews had one last attempt of regaining entry to Parliament.

Richard Molesworth Taylor successfully contested the subsequent by-election on 12 May, gaining 438 votes against John Lee Scott (418), Andrews (230) and S. G. Jolly (2).

Benjamin Mountfort and John Whitelaw, both architects, and Edward Dobson, an engineer, reviewed the design and the building and found everything to be safe.