Archibald Clark (politician)
Archibald Clark | |
|---|---|
 Archibald Clark in 1860 | |
| 1st Mayor of the Auckland Borough Council | |
| In office 1851–1852 | |
| Preceded by | new office |
| Succeeded by | office abolished |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for City of Auckland | |
| In office 5 April 1860 – 5 November 1860 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Auckland East | |
| In office 1866–1870 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Russell |
| Succeeded by | Julius Vogel |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Franklin | |
| In office 1871–1874 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1805 Beith, Scotland |
| Died | 17 October 1875 Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | Independent |
Archibald Clark (1805 – 17 October 1875) was a Scottish 19th-century Member of Parliament in the Auckland Region, New Zealand. He was the first Mayor of Auckland in 1851. His company, Archibald Clark and Sons, manufactured clothing and was a wholesaler.
Early life[edit]
Clark was born in Beith, Scotland, in 1805, the son of Andrew Clark. He attended the University of Glasgow to become a Presbyterian minister, but returned home to take over his ill father's business before completing his studies.[1] His first wife was Margaret McCosh, the daughter of a wealthy coal mine owner. Their eldest son, James Clark, was born in 1833 in Beith and became a mayor of Auckland (1880–1883).[2][3] Clark decided to emigrate and they left London on the barque Thames on 18 July 1849, and arrived in Auckland with his third wife and four children on 25 November.[2][4] Clark and his family were some of the earliest European settlers of Remuera.[5]
Professional career[edit]
Clark established a drapery store in Shortland Street in 1850[2] and initially imported, but later manufactured clothing.[3] In 1856 or 1857, his son James became a partner in the business, which became known as Archibald Clark and Sons.[2] The company became quite large, at one time having 500 employees.[1] Their building on the corner of Wellesley Street West and Elliott Street in the Auckland CBD, built in 1910, is registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category II heritage structure.[6] The company ceased trading in 1928.[7]
Political career[edit]
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 2nd | City of Auckland | Independent | ||
| 1866–1870 | 4th | Auckland East | Independent | ||
| 1871–1874 | 5th | Franklin | Independent | ||
In 1851, local government was inaugurated in Auckland with the establishment of the Borough of Auckland. Clark was elected as the inaugural and only mayor of the borough council, serving in 1851–1852. However the legality of Auckland's elevation as a borough was legally contested and overturned. Auckland was placed under the care of a board of governors, whose chairman was Archibald Clark. He was succeeded by Walter Lee, who was chairman in 1852–1854. It was not until 1871, that Auckland was formally incorporated and Philip Philips was elected as the first mayor of the city council (by the other city councillors and not by popular vote).[8][9]
He represented the City of Auckland electorate in 1860, until he was defeated (for the Newton electorate).[10] He then represented Auckland East from 1866 to 1870, and Franklin from 1871 to 1874, when he resigned due to failing health.[10]
Clark was also a member of the Auckland Provincial Council, representing the Auckland East electorate in the 5th Council from January 1867 to November 1868.[11]
Private life and death[edit]
Clark read widely, an interest that he obtained during his time at university.[1] He was well liked by his friends, and was regarded by all for his integrity and conduct.[12] He was active in St Andrew's Church and was one of the leading members of the congregation.[1] The church is the oldest surviving church building in Auckland as of 2015, and registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage building.[13]
Clark died on 17 October 1875 at his residence in Remuera. For almost two years, he had not participated in public life due to failing health.[12]
He was buried three days later at Symonds Street Cemetery.[14][15]
His daughter-in-law, Kate Emma McCosh Clark (wife of James McCosh Clark), wrote the first New Zealand children's story A southern cross fairy tale, which she partly illustrated, published in London in 1891.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Cyclopedia Company Limited (1902). "Mr. Archibald Clark". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Auckland Provincial District. Christchurch. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d McCallum, Janet. "Clark, Kate Emma - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Archibald Clark & Sons, Limited". Observer. Vol. XXVIII, no. 48. 15 August 1908. p. 38. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Shipping Lists". Daily Southern Cross. Vol. V, no. 252. 27 November 1849. p. 2. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Remuera Heritage Walk" (PDF). Auckland Council. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ "T & G Insurance Building". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Object". Auckland City Council. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "History of Auckland City". Auckland Council. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Auckland mayors". Auckland City Libraries. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 189. OCLC 154283103.
- ^ Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer. p. 182.
- ^ a b "Death of Mr. Archibald Clark". Auckland Star. Vol. VI, no. 1771. 18 October 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "St Andrew's Church (Presbyterian)". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ "The Colonist". Vol. XVII, no. 1984. 26 October 1875. p. 3. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Rudman, Brian (29 September 2000). "Rudman's City: Let old graves decay in peace". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
External links[edit]
- 1805 births
- 1875 deaths
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- Independent MPs of New Zealand
- Scottish emigrants to New Zealand
- New Zealand businesspeople
- Mayors of Auckland
- Burials at Symonds Street Cemetery
- Unsuccessful candidates in the 1860–1861 New Zealand general election
- New Zealand MPs for Auckland electorates
- New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates
- 19th-century New Zealand politicians
- People from Beith