Elizabeth McCombs NZ's first woman MP, 13 Sept 1933

The following explores:

1.  From Lyttelton by-election to MP, 1933-1935

           A.  Elizabeth chosen as Labour candidate for Lyttelton by-election   

           B.  Maiden speech, 29 Sept 1933

           C.  Elizabeth's death, 7 June 1935

           D.  Her political legacy as NZ's first female MP

           E.  Elizabeth's other notable achievements

2.  Backstory:

          A.  Family background

          B.  Political, social and economic influences 

          C.  Marriage and husband James' political career, 1903 - 1933

          D.  Elizabeth's 'political apprenticeship', 1909 - 1933 

          E.  What became of Elizabeth's 8 siblings  

1. From Lyttelton by-election to MP, 1933-1935

Elizabeth Reid McCombs (née Henderson) (1873-1935) was elected the first woman Member of Parliament on 13 September 1933 when she won a by-election for the Lyttelton seat.  McCombs was chosen as the Labour candidate for the Lyttelton seat which had been held by her husband James since 1913 until his death on 2 August 1933. When the votes for the by-election were counted, she received a majority of 2600. This historic moment took place forty years after New Zealand women gained the right to vote in 1893, and fourteen years after women were allowed to stand for the House of Representatives in the election of 1919.   

A. Elizabeth chosen as Labour candidate for Lyttelton by-election  

Elizabeth's foray into becoming an MP began with the 1928 elections - she had stood unsuccessfully as the Labour Party's first female nominee, contesting the seat of Kaiapoi. At the following elections held in 1931, she stood for the seat of Christchurch North. She had campaigned with the slogan ‘Vote the first Woman to the New Zealand Parliament’, but was not elected.  After her husband James passed away in August 1933, it was suggested that she run for the Lyttelton seat in the by-election. Some Labour Party members were doubtful as James had only narrowly won the seat in 1931 by 32 votes, and fielding a woman as a candidate was a contentious move in New Zealand.  

Electoral campaign: 1930s Great Depression & unemployment

Polling returns announced to jubilant crowd, 13 Sept 1933

Newspapers, including the Evening Post (15 Sept 1933), reported the reaction of the jubilant crowd gathered on election night to hear the polling results:

Scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed in Christchurch on Wednesday evening when the three candidates in the Lyttelton by-election, as well as the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland), addressed a large crowd in the Square.  "This", said the successful candidate (Mrs. E. E. McCombs) when the applause had died down sufficiently for her voice to be audible through the loud speaker, "is one of the proudest as well as one of the saddest days in my life. I owe my position today first to my sister, who taught me the principles of radical politics, and then to my husband, who encouraged and helped me through the whole of our married life together."

The occasion, said Mrs. McCombs, was an historic one. It was a red letter day for the women of New Zealand. "I am glad to think," she said, "that the first woman to be elected to the Parliament of New Zealand is a member of the Labour Party —(applause and cheering)—because the Labour Party has always stood for equal rights of citizenship for men and women. The electors have today, for the first time, recognised the work of the women of this country in helping to build it up to the state of progress in which it now stands. -- "I am proud," she said, "to be the first woman representative to be elected to tho Parliament of New Zealand — (cheers) —and it will be my endeavour to live up to the traditions, of the women of this country. The decision of the electors today is a compliment to the women of the country."  The election, she said, had another and wider significance. "The issue in this election was whether or not the electors of this country were satisfied with the policy of the Government."  (Cries of "No.") "You have shown that very clearly."   

Source:  Evening Post, Ibid

Parliamentary welcome

B. Maiden Speech, 29 Sept 1933

Elizabeth gave her maiden speech in Parliament on 29 September 1993, which was reported in the Evening Post, Mrs. E.R. McCombs, 29 September 1933):

Showing no signs of nervousness and speaking in clear tones, Mrs. E. R. McCombs, the newly-elected Labour member for Lyttelton, delivered her initial speech in the House of Representatives last night on the Address in Reply. Public interest in her first official appearance on her feet in the House was reflected in the crowded galleries. It was a reasoned address, characterised by fluency and a neat marshalling of facts, and relieved by several subtle thrusts..."

Commented on working relations & women having their own way:

"..In thanking the House for its reception of her, Mrs. McCombs said it seemed that a good working basis had been established and expressed the hope that nothing, would eventuate during her political life that would disturb the harmony of the relations that now appeared to have been, established. (Hear, hear.) "I would like to warn members, though," she added, "that women are never satisfied unless they have their own way." Mr. F. W. Schramm (Labour, Auckland East): That is true. "It happens in this case that the women's way is the right way," retorted Mrs. McCombs, who went on to say that she would be failing in her duty if she did not bring before the Government the message she believed she had received from the electors of Lyttelton."

Attacked employment and education policies:

In her speech, Elizabeth attacked the Government's employment policy accusing the Ministry of 'mental euthanasia'. She pointed out that women, youths, dependants and part-time workers were not included in the unemployment statistics. Furthermore, that although women paid unemployment taxes, they received minimal relief when out of work and relied on benevolent charities. Also, whereas fathers would receive relief work for a boy under 16 years old, once the boy reached 16 years that ceased yet work was not available for the youth. She also criticised the education policy for not encouraging  parents to keep their children attending school beyond primary level and opposed the "rationed employment system" for teachers.  

Supported having women police & raising marriage age:

Elizabeth also supported a call by women to have women police in the larger cities to protect, women, children, girls and youths. In addition, she supported the legislation that had been introduced to raise the minimum marriage age from twelve for girls and fourteen for boys to sixteen years. 

At the conclusion of her speech, "She was warmly applauded on resuming her seat."

C. ELIZABETH'S DEATH (7 JUNE 1935) 

The Press reported on 7 June 1935:

"The death occurred early this morning in the Christchurch Hospital of Mrs Elizabeth Reid McCombs, M.P., after a long illness.... In recent months the health of Mrs McCombs had been causing serious concern. She was forced to secure leave of absence from meetings of the Christchurch City Council and was absent during the last session of Parliament."    (Source: The Press,  Vol LXXI, Issue 21493 7 June 1935, p.13) 

Elizabeth was buried alongside her husband's grave in the McCombs family plot. See Flickr photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/porkynz/45984983952  

D.  Her Political legacy 

Elizabeth McCombs passed away during her second year as a Labour MP.  Although the Labour Party was on the Opposition benches during her time in Parliament, she endeavoured to promote women's issues in order to bring about changes. 

 "As a member of the opposition, Elizabeth had little opportunity to effect change. Instead, she exploited the attention she received as New Zealand's first woman MP to publicise her policies." She advocated, "equal pay for women, upheld the citizenship rights of women married to men of other nationalities, and promoted the establishment of New Zealand industries as a means of reducing unemployment."  Source:  Jean Garner, op  cit. 

Despite her short career in Parliament, Elizabeth had shown that women could successfully seek election. She was followed in 1938 by the election of the second woman to Parliament - Catherine Stewart who was elected for the Wellington West seat. 

E. OTHER NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Other noteworthy achievements of Elizabeth McCombs include:

 •  1921-1931, 1933-1935: Second woman to be elected to the Christchurch City Council 

 •  1926: One of the first women to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace, in recognition of her commitment to public service 

 •  1927: Elected to the Christchurch Tramway Board; as the first woman and first Labour Representative.

 •  1929: 1931-1935: Chaired the Electricity Committee; the first woman to do so. 

 •  1935: Awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal posthumously

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2. Backstory

Born in Kaiapoi in 1873, Elizabeth was the eighth of nine children to parents Alice and Daniel Henderson who had seven girls and two boys.  Elizabeth's mother (who was born in Ireland) and her father (who was born in Scotland) had married and emigrated from the UK to Australia in c.1860 and then moved to New Zealand in 1864.  Elizabeth's childhood and young adulthood years took place during the post-Land Wars resettlement period, 1890s Depression and women's suffrage movement. The involvement of her sisters in social, civil and political activities led to Elizabeth embarking on a series of public roles and meeting her future husband James McCombs who later became an MP for Labour.    

A. Family Background

Elizabeth (Bessie) Reid Henderson was born in Woodend, Kaiapoi on 19 November 1873 - the eighth of nine children.  Her siblings were Alice Eleanor (1860-1952), Christina (1861-1953), Dorothea (1864-1953), Evangeline (1864-1951), James (1865-1953), Kathleen (1867-1967), Stella (1871-1962), and Alexander (1875-1960).

Parents moved from UK to Australia, c. 1860 

Elizabeth's mother Alice Connolly was born on 11 May 1832 in Adare, Limerick, Ireland. Elizabeth's father Daniel Henderson was born on 27 March 1831, in Wick, Caithness, Scotland. Alice had been a governess when she married Daniel who was a trader and store-keeper. Their first three of nine children were born in Australia - Alice Eleanor (born 22 May 1860 in Albury, NSW), Christina Kirk (born 15 Aug 1861 at Emerald Hill, Melbourne), and Dorothea Jane (born 2 January 1864, in Launceston, Tasmania.

Moved to Auckland, NZ in 1864 during political changes, Land Wars & gold rushes

The family moved to Auckland in 1864 during a time of political, social, economic and cultural changes in New Zealand. 

(a)  Political situation in NZ

New Zealand's parliamentary government had been in operation since 1854. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 had created a national General Assembly and six provincial governments. Previously New Zealand had been divided into two provinces – New Munster (Wellington and the South Island) and New Ulster (the rest of the North Island) - which were formed in 1846 and were both to have their own parliaments.    

The new General Assembly comprised a Governor, Upper House (Legislative Council) and a Lower House (House of Representatives elected by voters).  The first members were sworn in on 24 May 1854 in Auckland which was the capital since 1841.  From 1855, the Legislative Council could no longer be chosen by the Governor - the members had to be drawn from the House of Representatives.  

Find out more: 

'Political and constitutional timeline', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/milestones, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 21-Apr-2020  

The 1852 law change divided New Zealand into six provinces - Auckland, New Plymouth (later to be re-named Taranaki), Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago. Each had an elected council, and was led by an elected superintendent.  Later on, the following additional provinces were created: Hawke's Bay in February 1858 after splitting from Wellington; Southland (split from Otago Province in March 1861 & rejoined Otago in 1870); Marlborough Province (split away from Nelson Province on 1 November 1859), and Westland (separated from Canterbury in 1873). 

Elizabeth's father Daniel was eligible to be able to vote after living in New Zealand for six months. To qualify, voters also had to be a male over the age of twenty-one, a British subject (which included Māori), and owned land (but not communally), or rented or leased land of a certain value, or (from 1860) had a mining licence.  Elizabeth's mother Alice was excluded from voting, as were all females. Also excluded were 'aliens' (non-British subjects) and inmates of prisons and asylums. 

(b)  Kingitanga movement & Land Wars

The Henderson had arrived in New Zealand during the Kingitanga movement. Land confiscated after the Waikato and Taranaki wars by the Crown under the NZ Settlements Act 1863 was being surveyed for townships and rural allotments. The Crown land was allocated to militant settlers and sold to migrant settlers. The land sales were to help repay the £3 million loan the Crown had arranged for the Bank of New Zealand to borrow from Britain to finance the Waikato War and the development of the confiscated land. 

Find out more: 

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Te ture – Māori and legislation - Laws affecting Māori land', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/te-ture-maori-and-legislation/page-2   

(c)   Gold rushes, 1860s

When the Hendersons arrived from Tasmania, there was also an influx of European and Chinese settlers from the Victoria goldfields following the discovery of gold in Otago in 1861 and the West Coast in 1864. 

Find out more:

Carl Walrond, 'Gold and gold mining - As good as gold', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/gold-and-gold-mining/page-1 

(d)  Political & constitutional changes, 1865-1867

When the Henderson were living in Auckland, the Capital moved from Auckland to Wellington in 1865. Four Māori seats were created in 1867 and, under the the Māori Representation Act 1867, property qualifications were dropped for Māori and all Māori males aged over 21 could vote in 1868 elections. Other male NZ citizens aged over 21 years could still vote only if they owned land non-communally, leased or rented property of a certain value, or had a mining licence. 

Find out more: 

'Political and constitutional timeline', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/milestones, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 21-Apr-2020 

Family moved to Tauranga - Kaiapoi - Ashburton (Late 1860s - c.1882): 

The Henderson family moved from Auckland to Tauranga in the late 1860s, and then to Kaiapoi, where their seventh child Stella May was born on 25 May 1871, and Elizabeth (Bessie) Reid Henderson was born on 19 November 1873. Their father started a flax mill and ran a store at Kaiapoi. The family then shifted to Ashburton in 1874, where Elizabeth's younger brother Alexander Gunn was born in 1875. They stayed in Ashburton for about eight years. The Henderson children were raised as Presbyterians. 

Family moved to Christchurch for schooling (c.1882):

To further the children's education, their parents settled in Christchurch around 1882.  

Following the abolition of the province in 1876, the responsibility for education for transferred to Education Boards. The Education Act 1877 created twelve elected regional Education Boards. A small Department of Education was established to set teaching standards and provide funds to each education board. 

Elizabeth attended Christchurch Normal School in 1883, followed by five years at Christchurch West School (1884-1888), and one term at Christchurch Girls' High School in 1889. Two of Elizabeth's older sisters completed their secondary education and obtained university degrees at Canterbury College which had been established in 1873: Christina (B.A. in 1891) and Stella (MA in 1893 & LL.B in 1896). 

One of her sisters later wrote that Elizabeth "was lazy at school and we did not expect great things from her". (Source: 'Elizabeth McCombs', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/elizabeth-mccombs, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 29-Oct-2021)  

New educational, career & charitable opportunities opening for girls & women:

The Henderson sisters illustrated that new opportunities were opening up for girls and women in secondary and university education, and church and charitable work, beyond domesticity.  

Few professions were open to women in the late nineteenth century aside from teaching and nursing.  The Census of 1874 showed only 20% of women worked outside the home (compared with 45% in England). There were 256,393 Pākehā, of which there were half as many Pākehā women than men in the 21-65 age group. Only 15% of women aged over 20 were single, and 5% of those over 30.  

Whilst Elizabeth's sister Christina became a teacher in 1881, Stella embarked on a journalism career and was the first woman Wellington parliamentary correspondent in 1898. Alice became a missionary in 1896 for the Presbyterian Church and worked at mission stations in Madras and Punjab in India until 1932. Stella married and had four children, whilst Christina and Alice remained unmarried. (Elizabeth's three other sisters and her two brothers married and raised children.)

Father died (1886) during economic slump in NZ:

The family's financial situation was compounded by the economic conditions of the late 1870s until the early 1890s in New Zealand which became known as the long depression. The Government had borrowed from British institutions to finance the Waikato land wars, develop confiscated land, attract more migrant settlers, and embark on a public works programme. The public works aimed to build railways, roads, bridges and port facilities, and to improve communications with telephone lines. However, not all the confiscated land offered for sale to settlers sold to help the Crown to repay its loans. Furthermore, the financial collapse of overseas banks, including the City Bank of Glasgow, led to restricted credit from Britain, resulting in unemployment and hardship for many families in New Zealand. This saw the rise of relief funds, work schemes and charitable groups in towns and cities.

Find out more: 

Brian Easton, 'Economic history - Boom and bust, 1870–1895', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/economic-history/page-5) 

B. Political, SOCIAL & EConomic INFLUENCES 

The involvement of Elizabeth's sisters Alice, Stella and Christina in social, civil and political activities led to her embarking on a series of public roles and meeting her future husband James McCombs who later became an MP for Labour.  

Liberal politics in NZ & women's suffrage movement:

In 1879, universal suffrage had been introduced for all males aged over 21 whether or not they owned, rented or leased property. Married women became eligible to own property in their own right under the Married Women's Property Act 1884. The first branch of the  Women’s Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand (WCTU NZ) was set up in Auckland in 1885 which led to the forming of other branches and the holding of the first national meeting in Wellington on 23 February 1886. The aims  of the WCTU NZ were to promote control, and sometimes prohibition, of liquor, votes for women, charity work and social reform. From late 1880s onwards, women (and sometimes men) signed petitions asking that women be allowed to vote. The 1890 New Zealand general election saw the formation of the Liberal Government, which introduced welfare and labour reforms, including giving the vote to women on 18 September 1893.  

 Find out more: New Zealand Parliament: Quick history, URL: https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/quick-history/

C. Marriage & HusBand's political career, 1903 - 1920s

Elizabeth's mother passed away in Feb 1909 

Elizabeth's husband James wins Lyttelton by-election, 1913

Elizabeth becomes Christchurch City Councillor, 1921

Elizabeth's husband James passed away in August 1933

D. Elizabeth's 'political apprenticeship', 1890s - 1933

Elizabeth's membership and committee work included:  

•  1899:  Progressive Liberal Association: Committee member. Had first joined the group in 1897, to which her sisters Stella and     Christina had joined the year before. The Association had as one of its aims the removal of women's civil and political     disabilities. 

•  1902:  Young People's No License League: Elected as the first President.

•  1909 - 1935: New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union which was led by suffragist Kate Sheppard: Dominion     Treasurer (1909–10), National Superintendent of Domestic Science Department (1913), Christchurch District President     (1913–17), and President of  Sumner branch from 1921 until her death in 1935. 

•  1916: New Zealand Labour Party Executive:  Elizabeth was elected as a member of the Executive and James was the first     President. He became the Labour Party's first president when it was founded in 1916. He had been elected as an MP for     Lyttelton while standing for the Social Democratic Party in 1913, and held the Lyttelton seat until his death in 1933. 

•  1921-1931, 1933-1935: Christchurch City Council: Elected as a Councillor (second woman to hold this position).          Convinced the Council to build a crèche and women's restrooms which opened in the former New Zealand Insurance    Company building in Cathedral Square on 1 July 1932. These facilities recognised that women and their children were    increasingly visiting the city's centre for shopping and for leisure to see movies etc. See story on Peeling back history.

•  1925-1934: North Canterbury Hospital Board: Elected to the Board and was on the Board's Benevolent Committee. She     worked to alleviate the suffering of the unemployed and to improve the standards of hygiene, the quality of meals for nurses     and patients, and nurses' working conditions.

•  1925 -1935: Christchurch Council's Electricity Committee: Committee member (1925), Chairman (1929, 1931-35) - first     woman appointed. Fought for the lowest domestic electricity rates in the country.  

•   1926: Justice of the Peace. Included in the first group of women to be made Justices of the Peace in New Zealand. 

•   1927: Christchurch Tramway Board: Elected as  Board member -  the first woman and first Labour Representative to be     elected. 

•  1928: Christchurch Domain Board: Elected as a member.

•  1933: Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund: Elected to the committee administering the fund.  

In an article entitled "Women in politics" published in Maoriland worker (Vol 5, Issue 180, 15 July 1914, p. 9),  Elizabeth McCombs wrote about the progress of women in the last seventy years in the "Women's movement".

"The women workers of the world have led the progressive movement of women in the past, and by all the laws of reason we look to them to lead it in the future. To the women workers, and wives of working men, I would say - You are in the front. Behind you are all the women in the world and all the children! Keep moving forward. Do not stop to blame those who are behind. Remember that they are weighted with what remains of all the shackles of all the women of the past; they cannot step forth free. But you are free and strong. Go forward and lead on." 

Elizabeth became Labour MP: 1933-1935

Elizabeth held the Lyttleton seat for the Labour Party, succeeding her late husband James McCombs.   

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son Terry McCombs elected to Lyttelton seat, 1935-1951 

E. What became of Elizabeth's 8 siblings?: 

Alice (1860-1952) became a missionary in 1896 for the Presbyterian Church and worked at mission stations in Madras from 1896 and then Punjab in Northern India from 1910 until 1932. Photos of Alice in India can be viewed on the Presbyterian Research Centre website: Sana Group (c.1896), Miss Henderson's Madras Girls (1912),  Miss D.M. Mathew and Miss A.E.Henderson (1930), Christmas Gathering, Jagadhri 1912. Alice wrote about her experiences in her book, "My yesterdays in sunshine and shadow" (Christchurch: Weeks Ltd, 1947), which is held by the National Library of New Zealand and is listed on Te Puna as being held by other libraries in NZ.  She also wrote, 'The shield of India" - A study on India and the Punjab Mission of The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand", (Auckland, Foreign Missions Committee, Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, 1933) which is held by the Alexander Turnbull Library. and other NZ libraries.  Alice died on 13 October 1952, in Christchurch, at the age of 92. She had lived at a missionary union house at Sumner near Christchurch with her sister Christina in the last years of her life.  (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7Y-HZJ/alice-eleanor-henderson-1860-1952, which includes photos.) 

Christina (1861-1953) died on 27 September 1953, in Christchurch, at the age of 92.  As well as a teaching career that spanned from 1881 until her retirement in 1912, Christina was actively involved with a number of movements and organisations, including: the Association of Women Teachers (elected first president in 1901), Canterbury Liberal Association, the women's franchise campaign, the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) of New Zealand (appointed corresponding secretary and legal and parliamentary superintendent in 1913, and president of the Christchurch branch, 1926-1946), Christchurch Prohibition League (honorary secretary from about 1901 -1913 and edited the Reformer in 1912), Canterbury Children's Aid Society, National Council of Women of New Zealand (secretary from 1902- 905, 1919-1922) and the Christchurch branch (secretary from 1917–19 & president from 1919–24), the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union of New Zealand (became secretary from 1917–20 & president from 1930–32, & edited Harvest Field from 1923-1946), and patriotic work during World War One. Christina was also appointed a Justice of the Peace on 23 February 1928.  She visited her missionary sister Alice in India on two occasions, and they lived at a missionary union house at Sumner near Christchurch in the last years of their lives. Christina had never married.  For further details, see:  Patricia A. Sargison. 'Henderson, Christina Kirk', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/biographies/2h28/henderson-christina-kirk) 

Dorothea (1864-1953) married William Robinson on 14 January 1888, in Christchurch. They were the parents of two sons and five daughters who were born in Christchurch: William Robinson Jnr (1888-1918), Eadric Archie (1890-1966), Dorothy Kirsten (1892-1969), Stella Joyce (1984-1985), Christabel Elizabeth (1898-1988), Naomi Gwendoline (1902-1989) and Marjory Christina (1903-1970). Dorothea died on 15 April 1953, in Christchurch at the age of 89.  (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7Y-CDB/dorothea-jane-henderson-1864-1953, which includes photos)

Evangeline (1864-1951) married James Alexander Matthew on 15 April 1885, in Auckland. He joined the police force, worked in Greymouth, Hamilton and Te Kuiti, and became a senior sargeant and a police inspector.  They were the parents of four sons and four daughters: Dorothy Matthew (1896-1976, born in Patea, Taranaki), Hamish Connolly (1897-1981), Kathleen Annie (1900-1988), Alexander Kenneth (1903-1994),  Josephine (1904-1904), Desmond George (1905-1929 who died in a car accident near Te Kuiti when his father was driving),  William (1906-1927) and Christine Eva (1908-1996,  born in Te Kuiti, Waikato). Evangeline died on 10 August 1951, at the age of 86. (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7Y-HY3/evangeline-henderson-1864-1951. which also includes a photo) 

James (1865-1953) married Annie Eliza Emma Wolfe on 16 December 1893, in Christchurch. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Olive Marie (1894-1975, born in Christchurch), Leslie Alexander (1898-1978, born in Wellington), Norah Helen (1900-1984, born in Wellington) and Alan James (1908-1982, born in Masterton). James died on 30 January 1953, in Masterton, at the age of 87. (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7Y-ZVW/james-henderson-1865-1953, which includes a photo)

Kathleen (1867-1967) married Francis Charles Carter on 25 June 1894, in Christchurch. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters who were born in Merton, Dunedin: Noel (1896-1981), Frank Ellis (1898-1941), Alice Dainty (1900-1905), Eleanor Jean (1902-2003) and Inez Elizabeth ( 1906-1971). Kathleen died on 6 October 1967, at the age of 100.  (Sources: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7T-XL2/kathleen-henderson-1867-1967, which includes a photo).

Stella (1871-1962) married journalist Edwin Frank Allan in 1900 and they moved to Melbourne in 1903. Her academic and journalistic achievements in NZ and Australia are summarised on the website: The Australian Media Hall of Fame: Stella Allan. They were the parents of four daughters: Alice Margaret (1904-1981), Stella Patricia Grace (1904-181, born in St Kilda East, Victoria, Australia),  Frances Elizabeth Allan (1905-1952, born in St Kilda East) and Helen Mary (1908 - ?).   (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LH8L-8KR/stella-may-henderson-1871-1962, which includes a photo.)  In 1939, Stella retired to England, returning to Melbourne in 1947 where she lived until her death on 1 March 1962,  and was cremated following a Presbyterian service. (Source: Coral Broadbent. 'Henderson, Stella May', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2h29/henderson-stella-may) 

Alexander (1875-1960) married Pearl Plunkett on 18 March 1908, in Christchurch. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter who were born in Christchurch: Bruce Gunne (1908-1988), Mary Elizabeth (1915-1951) and Donald Plunkett (1923-2013). Alexander died on 29 August 1960, in Christchurch, at the age of 85.  (Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LL7Y-454/alexander-gunn-henderson-1875-1960, which includes a photo) 

Find out more:

'Elizabeth McCombs', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/elizabeth-mccombs, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 29-Oct-2021 

Christchurch City Libraries: 'Elizabeth McCombs, 1873 – 1935', URL: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/elizabeth-mccombs/

Jean Garner. 'McCombs, Elizabeth Reid', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1998. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4m3/mccombs-elizabeth-reid 

Jean Garner. 'McCombs, James', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1996. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3m3/mccombs-james  

Coral Broadbent. 'Henderson, Stella May', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2h29/henderson-stella-may  

Patricia A. Sargison. 'Henderson, Christina Kirk', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2h28/henderson-christina-kirk 

Gee, David (1993). My Dear Girl: A biography of Elizabeth and James McCombs. Christchurch: Treehouse. (Book held by National Library of NZ and other NZ libraries.) 

'Terry McCombs', Wikipedia, URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_McCombs

This DigitalNZ story was updated September 2023