Hugh Gourley (1825 – 16 December 1906) was a New Zealand politician born in Ireland. He was
Mayor of Dunedin on two occasions and then appointed to the
New Zealand Legislative Council for one seven-year term.
Early life
Gourley was born in
Ballynahinch Ballynahinch may refer to:
Northern Ireland
* Ballynahinch, County Armagh, a townland
*Ballynahinch, County Down, a town
Republic of Ireland
*Ballynahinch (barony), in County Galway
*Ballynahinch, County Galway, a townland in County Galway
* Bally ...
, County Down, Ireland in 1825.
He married Ellen (née Johnson), a daughter of J. Johnston of County Down in 1850. They had four daughters and four sons.
He emigrated to
Victoria, Australia, aged 27, where he worked in the gold fields and then in his trade as a saddler.
Professional life
Gourley came to
Otago
Otago (, ; mi, Ōtākou ) is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council. It has an area of approximately , making it the country's second largest local government reg ...
in the early 1860s, initially working in the gold fields before setting up in
Dunedin as a saddler.
He subsequently engaged in various businesses, including the trades of
livery
A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery will often have elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...
, the operation of coaches to
Port Chalmers and as an undertaker.
Political career
Gourley was first elected to the
St Kilda Borough Council in 1881, subsequently serving as the borough's mayor for 13 years.
He was first elected to the
Dunedin City Council in 1885 and became
Mayor of Dunedin the first time in 1888 for one year and again in 1896 for another year.
Gourley was chairman of the Harbour Board for some time, represented on the Domain Board, and as a member of a range of charitable institutions.
Gourley contested the
City of Dunedin electorate in the
1893 election being one of eight candidates who contested three available positions.
William Hutchison and
David Pinkerton
David Pinkerton (26 September 1836 – 23 June 1906) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Dunedin City, in the South Island.
Early life
Born in Kirknewton, West Lothian, Scotland. He married Margaret Fairley on 1 December 1857 with whom ...
were incumbents who were successful.
William Earnshaw William Earnshaw may refer to:
* William Earnshaw (politician), New Zealand member of parliament
* William Earnshaw (minister)
William Earnshaw, D.D. (April 12, 1828 – July 7, 1885) was an American minister who served in the Union Army as a chapl ...
was the third successful candidate (he had represented the
Peninsula electorate in the previous Parliament). The previous representative,
Henry Fish
Henry Smith Fish (15 July 1838 – 23 September 1897) was a 19th-century New Zealand politician. For a time, he was a member of the Liberal Party. He was Mayor of Dunedin for a total of six years. Smith is remembered as one of the staunch oppo ...
, came fourth, Hugh Gourley was fifth, with other unsuccessful candidates being
James Gore, C. Haynes and D. Nicol.
Gourley was appointed to the
New Zealand Legislative Council on 22 June 1899. He ceased to be a member on 21 June 1906 at the end of his seven-year term.
Other interests and death
He was active in racing and trotting circles and held many official positions, including that of the Dunedin delegate to the New Zealand Trotting Association.
Ellen Gourley died on 7 August 1874, aged 46. She was buried at
Dunedin Southern Cemetery
The Southern Cemetery in the New Zealand city of Dunedin was the first major cemetery to be opened in the city. The cemetery was opened in 1858, ten years after the founding of the city in an area known as Little Paisley. This area lies at the ...
three days later. Gourley died on 16 December 1906 in Dunedin. He was buried at Dunedin Southern Cemetery two days later in the same plot as his wife. One of his sons had died in the
Second Boer War.
Gourley's undertaking business was incorporated into Gillions Funeral Services, which is still in operation.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gourley, Hugh
1825 births
1906 deaths
Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council
Mayors of Dunedin
19th-century New Zealand politicians