John McDonald (mayor)

John McDonald (13 September 1865 – 21 March 1945) was a New Zealand politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1908 to 1909, the first New Zealand-born person to hold the office.

John McDonald

Early life and family

Born in Auckland on 13 September 1865, McDonald was the son of Colin and Christina McDonald.[1][2] He was educated in Masterton and Wellington, before living in Timaru.[1] He moved to Dunedin in the 1890s, where he had a tailoring business, and later worked as a land agent and company promoter.[1]

In January 1909, he married Maggie Cox Lindsay Prictor, at St Stephen's Church, Dunedin.[3][4] The couple did not have children.[4]

Politics

McDonald was first elected to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) representing the Leith ward, and later represented the High ward.[1] He was elected mayor in 1908,[1] becoming the first person born in New Zealand to hold the post.[5] While mayor he took part in a public demonstration of the country's first radio transmission, sending and receiving messages in Morse code from Andersons Bay to Hagberth Moller at Ravensbourne.[5] He also represented the DCC on the Charitable Aid Board, the boards of governors of the Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' High Schools, and the Otago Hospital Board.[1]

After a break from local politics, McDonald was re-elected to the DCC for a term from 1919 to 1921, and also served on the Otago Harbour Board for six years.[1]

McDonald unsuccessfully stood for the Dunedin Central seat at the 1908 general election and 1911 general elections.[1][6] At the 1931 general election, he finished third in the Dunedin West electorate as an independent Liberal candidate.[1][7]

Other activities

Noted for his keen interest in sports, McDonald was a founding member of the Otago Cycling Club, and served as president of the Alhambra Rugby Football Club and the St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club.[1] He was also clerk of scales for the Dunedin Jockey Club and a steward at the Tahuna Park Trotting Club.[1] A long-time member of the Dunedin Caledonian Society, McDonald served a term as its president, as well as a period as president of the Dunedin Piping and Dancing Association.[1] He was also active as a Freemason.[1]

McDonald was chairman of directors of the Regent Picture Theatre Company and the Exchange Court Picture Company.[1]

Later life and death

McDonald died in Dunedin on 21 March 1945, and was buried in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery.[1][8] His wife, Maggie McDonald, regarded as one of the pioneers of croquet in Otago and who served a term as vice-president of the New Zealand Croquet Council, died in 1950.[4]

References
  1. "Obituary: Mr John McDonald". Evening Star. 22 March 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  2. "Birth search: registration number 1865/28036". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  3. "Personal pars". NZ Truth. 30 January 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  4. "Obituary=Mrs M. C. L. McDonald". Otago Daily Times. 18 January 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  5. "Dashing heroes of a harbour crossing". Otago Daily Times. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  6. "Otago province". Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle. 12 December 1911. p. 1 (supplement). Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  7. "Final counts". Manawatu Standard. 10 December 1931. p. 7. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  8. "Dunedin's buried history: McDonald, John". Southern Heritage Trust. 2003. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
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