John Aitken (politician)

John Aitken in about 1906
For others similarly named, see the John Aitken navigation page

John Guthrie Wood Aitken (6 February 1849 – 17 August 1921) was the Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand from 1900 to 1905.[1]

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
19021905 15th City of Wellington Independent
19051908 16th Wellington East Independent

Aitken was born at Low Park Farm, Kilchenzie, Kintyre, Argyleshire, Scotland on 6 February 1849 and educated at Campbeltown Grammar School.

Aitken was employed by James Templeton and Co, Glasgow. He was apparently a skilled employee, being sent to London to take charge of the Company, a position he held for 12 years. In 1882 he became acquainted with George Wilson and entered into partnership with him as a general merchant in Wellington, New Zealand. Aitken became a Director of Guardian Insurance Company, the Australian Widows' Fund (which amalgamated with the Mutual Life Association of Australasia), Scoullar and Co, Fresh Food and Ice Co, Consolidated Dental Co, as well as some other companies. He was also Chairman of Directors of the New Zealand Board of the Loan and Mercantile Association.

John Guthrie Wood Aitken caricature, 1900

In 1899 Aitken entered politics being elected Mayor of Wellington from 1900 to May 1905 when he retired. He represented the City of Wellington electorate from 1902 (he was successful in his first attempt to enter parliament[2]) to 1905, and then the Wellington East electorate from 1905 to 1908. He did not stand in 1908, thus ending his term. He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1914 to 1921.

He was Chairman of the Wellington Education Board, and in 1917 was the first layman to be Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Aitken was one of the founders of the Boys Institute and assisted developing the YMCA in Wellington. Together with the Rev. Dr James Gibb, Aitken was a co-founder of Scots College and Queen Margaret College. He was a supporter of Bible in Schools and the Prohibition movements.

Aitken died at his home at 2 Levy Street, Wellington on 17 August 1921.

External links

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Aitken (Mayor of Wellington).
  1. Obituary, Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 6
  2. "Wellington City Election". Free Lance III (125). 22 November 1902. p. 8. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
George Fisher, Arthur Richmond Atkinson, John Hutcheson
Member of Parliament for Wellington
19021905
Served alongside: George Fisher, Francis Fisher, John Duthie
Constituency abolished
Political offices
Preceded by
John Rutherford Blair
Mayor of Wellington
19001905
Succeeded by
Thomas William Hislop
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