Later Life
Stafford resigned from Nelson on 19 November 1868, and was elected MP for Timaru on 20 November 1868. He represented that electorate until he resigned on 25 February 1878. When Vogel was seeking to retire, Stafford again had a chance to return to government, but again declined. Stafford retired in 1878, strongly disliking the new premiership of former governor George Grey.
Stafford spent considerable time in England, devoting himself to business pursuits. He was granted a KCMG on his arrival, and was also offered governorships of Madras (now known as Chennai) and Queensland (which he declined). He eventually died in London on 14 February 1901. Stafford was survived by three daughters and three sons, the product of his marriage to Mary Bartley in 1859. Mary had died in 1899. A prior marriage to Emily Charlotte, daughter of William Wakefield, had been childless, with Emily having died in 1857 at the age of 29.
Read more about this topic: Edward Stafford (politician)
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