Stephen_Boreham
Stephen Boreham
Shearer, trade unionist
Charles Stephen Boreham (19 December 1857 – 15 May 1925) was a New Zealand shearer and trade unionist. He was born in Richmond, Colony of Tasmania on 19 December 1857.[1]
He was potentially the first working class representative who stood for Parliament in New Zealand. He stood for election in the Cheviot electorate in 1887, but withdrew shortly before polling day.[2][3] He campaigned in the Timaru electorate prior to the 1893 election, but did not put his nomination forward. At the time, a £10 deposit was due with each nomination, which was refundable upon the candidate receiving at least 10% of the vote, and it was speculated that he would have lost his deposit.[4][5]
He did stand in the Waitaki electorate the 1899 election, where he came third with 15.6% of the vote.[6][7]