The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Mitchelson, Hon. Edwin
Mitchelson, Hon. Edwin, M.H.R., is a native of Auckland, N.Z., where he is extensively engaged in the kauri gum trade and general mercantile business. He entered the New Zealand Parliament in 1881, and became a member of the third Atkinson Ministry in 1883, with the portfolio of Public Works, which he held from Nov. 1883 to August 1884, accepting the same post in the fourth Atkinson administration on August 28th, 1884. It only, however, lasted six days. In the last Atkinson Cabinet Mr. Mitchelson was Minister for Public Works from Oct. 1887 to Oct. 1889 and Minister of Native Affairs, Postmaster-General, and Electric Telegraph Commissioner from that date till Jan. 1891. During the latter part of the period he was acting Premier in place of Sir H. A. Atkinson, who was incapacitated by illness. Mr. Mitchelson is still M.H.R. for Eden.