Israel Goldstine

This article is about a New Zealand politician, businessman, barrister and solicitor. For American-born Israeli rabbi, author and Zionist leader, see Israel Goldstein.
Israel Joseph Goldstine
OBE
2nd Mayor of One Tree Hill
In office
1931–1947
Preceded by J.S. Hardwick
Succeeded by Brian Preston Stevenson
Personal details
Born 20 May 1898
Brisbane, Australia
Died 16 January 1953 (aged 54)
Auckland, New Zealand
Spouse(s) Dora Solomon
(m. 1924–1939, her death)
Children John Goldstine
Margot McCready
Profession Barrister and Solicitor

Israel Joseph Goldstine, OBE (20 May 1898 – 16 January 1953) was Mayor of One Tree Hill, New Zealand from 1931 until he retired in 1947.[1] He was a prominent barrister and solicitor in Auckland and chaired several high profile New Zealand boards.[2]

Early life and education

Goldstine was born in Brisbane, Australia, but brought up and educated in Auckland, attending Auckland Grammar School.[3] Goldstine studied law at Auckland University College.[3] After serving his articles with William Joseph Napier[4] he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand on 18 February 1926.[5]

Career

Barrister and solicitor

Goldstine was a successful barrister and solicitor, and was described in court as displaying 'a doggedness and persistence which is noticeable even for a lawyer, and listeners have no cause to complain that his utterances are mumbled or indistinct'.[4]

Politics

Goldstine became actively involved in local government at a young age. He was a member of the One Tree Hill Road Board in his twenties, and became its first deputy mayor when the board became a borough. Goldstine was elected mayor of One Tree Hill on 6 May 1931 at age 33, becoming New Zealand's youngest mayor.

When elected it was noted that his standing in local body affairs is attested by the fact that he is president of the Suburban Local Bodies' Association and an authority on finance, gaining much praise by his analysis of the finances of the Hospital Board.[3] During his time as mayor he was praised for continuing to reduce rates despite large increases in other regions.[6]

Goldstine held the position of Mayor until his retirement from politics in 1947.[12]

Business

Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council

Goldstine served as chair of the Milk Council for 10 years.[12] This time coincided with World War II, and a lot of his time was spent overseeing the restrictions on the sale of cream,[13] the delivery of milk to schools,[14] and ensuring milk delivery to homes continued with the ongoing petrol rationing[15] and delivery men serving in the war.[16]

Local Government Commission

The first Local Government Commission commission was established in 1947 to reform New Zealand's 695 local commissions, which was considered too many for a country with a population of 1.5 million people. New Zealand Labour Party MP Bill Parry appointed Goldstine as chair of the Commission.[17] In this position, Goldstine enjoyed the salary and privileges of a Judge of the Supreme Court, and was known as Judge Goldstine.[17] The commission adopted the Court's strict dress code of wigs and gowns, somewhat to the dismay of the Law Society. Goldstine held this position until his sudden death in 1953.[12][17]

Other business

Goldstine was Vice President of the New Zealand Municipal Association, member for 14 years of the Auckland Suburban Drainage Board and chairman for two and a half years of the Auckland (NZ) Armed Forces Appeal Board.[12] During World War II Goldstine was appointed to the National Patriotic Fund Board and the National Patriotic Council. He became deputy chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council.[12]

Positions held

Awards

Honorific eponym

Personal life

Goldstine married Dora Solomon in 1924. Goldstine and Solomon had two children, John and Margot.

Solomon died on 20 August 1939, aged 38. She was actively associated with Goldstine's public activities, just prior to her death she had been convener of the Women's Emergency Precautions Committee of Epsom and One Tree Hill.[22] Upon learning of her death, the chairman of the Auckland Transport Board, W. H. Nagle, paid tribute to the charitable, philanthropic and civic activities of Solomon and her devotion to humanitarian causes.[23]

Goldstine was better known among friends and colleagues as 'Izzy',[17] and was known for his sense of humor while conducting business.[24]

Goldstine showed a fondness for sport and particularly enjoyed watching tennis and football. In his earlier years he played football as an Auckland representative.[4] He frequently played golf in Maungakiekie and was quoted as saying "I have no pretensions to being a 'real' golfer, but I live in hope of reducing my handicap some day."[25]

Goldstine traveled frequently to Australia, which often influenced his ideas in politics and business.

References

  1. "New Face in Mayoral Chairs". The Auckland Star. 7 May 1931. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  2. "Auckland Mayors". Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "One Tree Hill". Auckland Star. 7 May 1931. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Who's Who - And Why". NZ Truth. 29 July 1926. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  5. "Personal Notices". Auckland Star. 18 February 1926. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  6. "Satisfied Ratepayer". Auckland Star. 22 July 1931. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  7. "Avenue of Kauris". Evening Post. 21 July 1939. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  8. "Thirty kauris - One Tree Hill planting". Auckland Star. 2 August 1939. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  9. "Future Giants". Auckland Star. 20 July 1939. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  10. "Change Opposed". Auckland Star. 4 October 1940. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Maori Memorial. Obelisk on One Tree Hill. Scheme to divert fund.". Auckland Star. 19 March 1931. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Biographies of Chairpersons". Local Government Commission. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  13. "The Last Straw". Evening Post. 15 November 1943. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  14. "Milk in schools - Supplies for children". Evening Post. 12 April 1934. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  15. "Petrol Rationing". Evening Post. 4 March 1940. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  16. "Auckland Milk Delivery". Evening Post. 12 September 1942. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Bassett, Michael (1997). The mother of all departments: the history of the Department of Internal Affairs. Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 146, 162.
  18. "King's Award. Coronation Medal.". Auckland Star. 12 May 1937. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  19. London Gazette (37410 ed.). 28 December 1945. p. 160. Retrieved 19 April 2013. Check date values in: |year=, |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  20. "Margot Street". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  21. "Goldstine Place". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  22. "Obituary Mrs. I. G. Goldstine". Evening Post. 21 August 1939. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  23. "Motion of Sympathy". The Auckland Star. 21 August 1939. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  24. "Official Opposition". Auckland Star. 21 June 1934. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  25. "The Passing Show". Auckland Star. 26 March 1932. Retrieved 21 April 2013.