Joseph Levien
Encyclopedia
John Henry Levien Esquire
, JP was a Freemason and Mayor of Nelson in New Zealand from 1875 to 1876.
At the end of 1875 Levien was asked by the Councillors to remain as Mayor for 1876, which he agreed to do. Among the Councillors who called for him to stand for re-election were Edward William Everett
and William Reid Waters
, the two subsequent mayors. As no one else was nominated he was consequently reappointed.
Levien was appointed a Justice of the Peace
in March 1875.
On 19 February 1876 the Eastern Extension Australia and China Telegraph Company cable
linking New Zealand with Australia and the Far East was landed at Schroder's Mistake, Wakapuaka (now known as Cable Bay) 21 kilometres (13 mi) north of Nelson. This significant event prompted Levien to invite the Governor
(The Marquess of Normanby
), Premier
(Julius Vogel
) and ministers to celebrate the landing. He was politely declined by the Premier and derided in the neighbouring province
's newspaper.
the following day. He was survived by his wife.
Robert Levien (1834 in London – 1893) decided in 1864 to settle in Nelson where his uncle Joseph Levien had already been for some time. Robert Levien was also a merchant and was first elected a Nelson City Councillor in the late 1870s.
Esquire
Esquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
, JP was a Freemason and Mayor of Nelson in New Zealand from 1875 to 1876.
Political career
Levien was actively interested in politics and public affairs, but only became prominent in 1875 when the municipalities affairs were in crises. Levien became Mayor of Nelson on 26 February 1875 after the Mayor and several Councillors resigned over a dispute with the Provincial Council and finance. The Council's accounts were in a muddle according to its auditors and it had a large overdraft at the bank, and it went bankrupt in early 1875. As a result of Levien's hard work he set the accounts in order, urged economy from the newly elected Councillors and returned the Council to credit.At the end of 1875 Levien was asked by the Councillors to remain as Mayor for 1876, which he agreed to do. Among the Councillors who called for him to stand for re-election were Edward William Everett
Edward William Everett
- Political career :As a Councillor, Everett was named as one of several Councillors who voted for the appointment of Joseph Levien in 1875.Everett was the third Mayor of Nelson, replacing Joseph Levien who died in office. Everett was elected unopposed on 16 June 1876...
and William Reid Waters
William Reid Waters
William Reid Waters Esq, JP , Mayor of Nelson from 1 September 1877 to 19 December 1877 and Councillor.-Private life:Waters was a migrant to Nelson where he started a boot and shoe making business in Bridge Street in early 1858....
, the two subsequent mayors. As no one else was nominated he was consequently reappointed.
Levien was appointed a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in March 1875.
On 19 February 1876 the Eastern Extension Australia and China Telegraph Company cable
Submarine communications cable
A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
linking New Zealand with Australia and the Far East was landed at Schroder's Mistake, Wakapuaka (now known as Cable Bay) 21 kilometres (13 mi) north of Nelson. This significant event prompted Levien to invite the Governor
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
(The Marquess of Normanby
George Phipps, 2nd Marquess of Normanby
George Augustus Constantine Phipps, 2nd Marquess of Normanby, GCB, GCMG, PC , styled Viscount Normanby between 1831 and 1838 and Earl of Mulgrave between 1838 and 1863, was a British Liberal politician and colonial governor.-Background:Normanby was born in London, the son of Constantine Phipps, 1st...
), Premier
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
(Julius Vogel
Julius Vogel
Sir Julius Vogel, KCMG was the eighth Premier of New Zealand. His administration is best remembered for the issuing of bonds to fund railway construction and other public works...
) and ministers to celebrate the landing. He was politely declined by the Premier and derided in the neighbouring province
Marlborough Province
The Marlborough Province operated as a province of New Zealand from 1859 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. The province of Marlborough split away from Nelson Province on 1 November 1859.-History:...
's newspaper.
Death
Levien died in office on 7 June 1876 after a long and painful illness aged 65 years. He was buried at Wakapuaka CemeteryWakapuaka Cemetery
Wakapuaka Cemetery is a cemetery located in Atawhai, Nelson, New Zealand. The name means "heaps of aka leaves" in Māori.-Location:Wakapuaka Cemetery is located at the southern end of Atawhai Drive in Nelson. The cemetery is located on a hill with a north west aspect...
the following day. He was survived by his wife.
Robert Levien (1834 in London – 1893) decided in 1864 to settle in Nelson where his uncle Joseph Levien had already been for some time. Robert Levien was also a merchant and was first elected a Nelson City Councillor in the late 1870s.