John Aitken (politician)
John Guthrie Wood Aitken (1849 – 17 August 1921) was the Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand from 1900 to 1905.[1]
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1902–1905 | 15th | City of Wellington | Independent | |
| 1905–1908 | 16th | Wellington East | Independent | |
He represented the City of Wellington electorate from 1902 to 1905, and then the Wellington East electorate from 1905 to 1908, when he retired.
Aitken was born at Park, Kilchenzie, Kintyre, Argyleshire, Scotland in 1849 and educated at Campbeltown Grammar School.
Aitken was employed by James Templeton and Co, Glasgow. He was apparently a skilled employee, being 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.
In 1899 Aitken entered politics being elected Mayor of Wellington from 1900 to May 1905 when he retired. He stood for the Wellington East seat in Parliament in 1902. 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. 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.
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Aitken (Mayor of Wellington). |
- ↑ Obituary, Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 6
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Fisher, Arthur Richmond Atkinson, John Hutcheson |
Member of Parliament for Wellington 1902–1905 Served alongside: George Fisher, Francis Fisher, John Duthie |
Constituency abolished |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Rutherford Blair |
Mayor of Wellington 1900–1905 |
Succeeded by Thomas William Hislop |