Vincent Pyke, born Vincent Pike, (4 February 1827 – 5 June 1894) was a 19th-century politician in Otago, New Zealand and Victoria, Australia.
Early life
Pyke was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England[1] as Vincent Pike. He married Frances Renwick on 7 September 1846 at Bristol, England; they had four sons and one daughter. He changed the spelling of his surname some time after their wedding.[2]
In 1862 Pyke visited the Otago goldfields, and became Secretary or Commissioner of the goldfields for the Otago Provincial Council. He then moved to Dunstan and Clyde. He was the first Chairman of Vincent County, which was named after him following an ironic suggestion by an opponent.
He represented the electorates of Wakatipu1873–1875, then Dunstan1875–1890.[4] He contested the 1890 election in the Mount Ida electorate, but was beaten by Scobie Mackenzie.[2] He then represented Tuapeka from 1893 to 1894 when he died.[4] He was noted for his loyalty to Clyde and his Central Otago constituents.