Charles Gray (New Zealand politician)

For other people of the same name, see Charles Gray (disambiguation).
The Honourable
Charles Gray
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Christchurch North
In office
1905  1908
Preceded by new electorate
Succeeded by Tommy Taylor
17th Mayor of Christchurch
In office
1891–1892
Preceded by Samuel Manning
Succeeded by William Prudhoe
In office
1904–1905
Preceded by Henry Wigram
Succeeded by John Hall
Personal details
Born 1853
Geelong
Died 11 June 1918
Christchurch
Nationality New Zealand

Charles Mathew Gray (1853 – 11 June 1918) was a New Zealand Independent Member of Parliament for Christchurch North, and Mayor of Christchurch.

Early life

Charles Gray was born in Geelong, Victoria, in Australia and came to New Zealand in 1862.

Local body politics

Gray was elected to the Christchurch City Council in 1885. Mayoral elections were held on 26 November 1890. The two candidates were the incumbent, Samuel Manning, and Gray, who received 492 and 665 votes, respectively. Gray was thus elected as the 17th mayor of Christchurch.[1] He was mayor until 1892, and again in 1904 to 1905. His chief aims were beautifying the city, drainage, sanitation, lighting and high pressure water supply.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
19051908 16th Christchurch North Independent Liberal

Charles Gray represented the Christchurch North electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives from the 1905 election to 1908.

Gray defeated Tommy Taylor in the 1905 contest for Christchurch North.

Gray made it clear during the election campaign that he was an independent Liberal who would go to the House unfettered by party obligations. He declared that he was not a 'party man'.[2]

Death

Gray died in Christchurch on 11 June 1918.

References

  1. "The Mayoral Elections". The Star (7021). 27 November 1890. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  2. Lyttelton Times, 18 November 1905 Missing or empty |title= (help) p.7

Further reading

New Zealand Parliament
Vacant
Constituency recreated after abolition in 1890
Title last held by
Edward Wingfield Humphreys
Member of Parliament for Christchurch North
19051908
Succeeded by
Tommy Taylor
Political offices
Preceded by
Samuel Manning
Mayor of Christchurch
1891–1892
1904–1905
Succeeded by
William Prudhoe
Preceded by
Henry Wigram
Succeeded by
John Hall
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