William Aitchison ( – 2 January 1957) was a New Zealand politician who served as the mayor of Invercargill in 1950.

Early life

Aitchison was born in Glasgow. His family first came to New Zealand in 1900, but returned to Scotland the next year. In 1904 they came back to New Zealand permanently, and Aitchison began working at a grocery store in Christchurch. He moved to Invercargill in 1922 and started a hardware business.

Political career

Aitchison was elected to the Invercargill City Council in 1941 and was re-elected in 1944, topping the poll and thus becoming deputy mayor. While on the council, he advocated for council housing for the elderly. In August 1950, mayor

Abraham Wachner Abraham (Abie) Wachner (15 August 1892 – 23 August 1950) was the 35th Mayor of Invercargill from 1942 to 1950. He was awarded the OBE in 1946. Early life He was born in London; his father was a furniture manufacturer of Polish-Jewish ancestry ...

died, and Aitchison was appointed as mayor by the council until the election later that year. He did not intend to contest the election, but allowed his nomination to be submitted when no other councillor would step forward. Following former councillor Brian Hewat's entry into the race, Aitchison withdrew his nomination and announced his retirement from politics altogether, leaving Hewat to be elected unopposed.

Personal life

Aitchison was a Presbyterian and attended First Church. He became an elder of the church in June 1926 and taught at the Sunday school for 22 years. He was married twice, having two children in his first marriage and three in his second marriage to Vera Parker. He died in Invercargill on 2 January 1957 and is buried in the Eastern Cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aitchison, William 1880s births 1957 deaths Politicians from Glasgow Scottish emigrants to New Zealand New Zealand Presbyterians New Zealand justices of the peace Invercargill City Councillors Deputy mayors of Invercargill Mayors of Invercargill Burials at Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill