The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]
Ex-Mayors
Ex-Mayors.
Mr. Joseph Kilgour was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1870. He was a prominent and progressive citizen, and was engaged in business as an ironfounder and sawmiller. Mr. Kilgour died in August, 1898.
Mr. Edward Wickes was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1871–72. He was the third occupant of the office, and succeeded Mr. J. Kilgour. During Mr. Wickes' mayoralty the great flood of 1872 devastated the southern portion of Greymouth, and will long be remembered by old West Coasters. Mr. Wickes was born in London, England, in the year 1836, and engaged early in life in the timber trade. In 1853, he went to Australia in the ship “Strathfeldsaye,” and followed mining at Ballarat and in Queensland, and was present at the Ballarat riots. Ten years later, he came to New Zealand, landed in Auckland, and worked as a builder and contractor. When gold was discovered on the West Coast, he established himself in business in Greymouth as an ironmonger, auctioneer, and mining agent, on a site now occupied by Messrs Griffin and Smith, in Boundary Street. Mr. Wickes was associated with the Wallsend Coal Mine, at Brunnerton, and was one of the founders of the Greymouth Acclimatisation Society. He has been a Forester and a Freemason, and has been active in promoting local interests.
Mr. George Glen was Mayor of Greymouth for a portion of the year 1873. Mr. Glen was a produce merchant in Greymouth, and died about the year 1895.
Mr. William Simpson Smith was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1874. He was a member of the firm of Thomson, Smith and Barclay, drapers, and died in the year 1904.
Ring, photo.
Mr. G. W. Moss.
Mr. Francis Hamilton was Mayor of Greymouth during the years 1877 and 1878. He was well known for many years in connection with the firm of Buxton and Company, of Nelson. Mr. Hamilton died in the year 1901; his portrait and a sketch of his life appear on page 113 of this volume.
Mr. Richard Nancarrow was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1879–80–81 and in 1886, and held office at a somewhat momentous period of the borough's history; namely, at the time when Sir John Coode designed the harbour works, which were estimated to cost £250,000 sterling. He was born in Kent, England, in 1844, came to New Zealand in the year 1854 in the steamer “Nelson,” landed at Nelson, and was educated at Nelson College, and trained for a mercantile life. Mr. Nancarrow subsequently settled on the West Coast, and took an interest in local affairs, especially in mining matters. He was at one time chairman of the Hospital Committee, and of the High School Board of Governors. Mr. Nancarrow died some years ago.
Mr. James Barclay was Mayor of Greymouth during the year 1882–83. He was a member of the well known firm of Thomson, Smith, and Barclay, drapers. Mr. Barclay died in May, 1890.
Mr. Fritz Carl Dupre , J.P., was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1884, and served on the Borough Council for fourteen years. Mr. Dupre is a watchmaker. He has since left Greymouth, and carries on his business in the Wairarapa, in the provincial district of Wellington.
Mr. John Griffiths Thomson was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1885. He was the founder of the firm of Thomson, Smith and Barclay, drapers.
Mr. Joseph Petrie was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1887 and 1888. He is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives, and in connection with the Greymouth “Evening Star” newspaper.
Mr. John Mitchell was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1889 and 1890. He was well known on the West Coast as a coach proprietor. Mr. Mitchell left New Zealand to settle in West Australia.
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Mr. A. Matheson.
Mr. Felix Campbell was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1895. He is well known in the district as a successful merchant.
Mr. Jacob Theodore Skoglund was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1896–97–98. He was born in Sweden, and emigrated to Victoria, Australia, in 1859. In 1865, Mr. Skoglund came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. He was for a considerable time a storekeeper at the diggings. Mr. Skoglund is in business as a commission agent, and is the shipping and general representative for the Blackball Coal Company in Greymouth, and was secretary to the Greymouth Gasworks Company, Limited.
Mr. Jesse Steer was Mayor of Greymouth during the year 1903. He is further referred to in connection with the firm of A. Hildebrand and Company.