The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Clifford, Sir Charles
Clifford, Sir Charles, Bart., formerly Speaker of the House of Representatives, New Zealand, the eldest son of George Lambert Clifford (fifth son of the Hon. Thomas Clifford, second son of the third Lord Clifford of Chudleigh), by Mary, daughter of Walter Hill Coyney, of Weston Coyney, co. Stafford, was born at Mount Vernon, Liverpool, on Jan. 1st, 1813, and educated at Stonyhurst. He was one of the first settlers in Wellington, N.Z., under the New Zealand Company, arriving in 1843. While in England in 1850 he took a prominent part in the agitation for the grant of a constitutional government to New Zealand; and in 1854, upon the passing of the Constitution Act, returned to the colony, and was elected to the first parliament, of which he was appointed Speaker, an office he held until 1860. He was made a knight bachelor in 1858. Sir Charles was for long engaged in pastoral pursuits in the colony; but finally returned to England, where he has since lived. On July 16th, 1887, he was created a baronet of Flaxbourne, province of Marlborough. Sir Charles married, on Jan. 13th, 1847, Mary Anne, daughter of John Hercy, of Cruchfield House, D.L. for co. Bucks.