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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Joe Dransfleld

Mr. Joe Dransfleld, J.P., was the first Mayor of the present Corporation, a position which he filled from September, 1870 to September, 1874. He again occupied the mayoral ohair from December, 1878, to May, 1879. For some years before the Corporation was established, Mr. Dransfield was chairman of the Town Board. Born in 1827 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, where his father was the proprietor of the Rookery Woollen Mills, the subject of this notice was educated at local schools, and embarked for the Australian colonies per ship “Falcon” in 1852. After five years in Sydney, Mr. Dransfield crossed to Wellington, and became a general merchant. Mr. C. E. Dransfield, a brother, was in Wellington first, and established the business, which Mr. Dransfield subsequently took over. For many years he conducted a large and successful trade, and in 1888 he sold out the goodwill and business to the United Importers Company. In the days of Provincial Councils Mr. Dransfield was prominent as a member of the Council, and at one time he had a seat on the Provincial Executive. For many years he has held the Commission of the Peace. While acting as Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Dransfield used his influence to secure the first important reclamation for the City.