William Lock
Encyclopedia
William Lock was Mayor of Nelson
from 1913 to 1915 and again from 1921 to 1927. Lock was an auctioneer, and a grain and produce merchant for 40 years. During his term as Mayor, HMS New Zealand
visited Nelson in 1913. Lock died on 20 July 1940 at his home in Collingwood Street, Nelson.
was contested by four candidates in the Nelson electorate
: John Graham
(1289 votes – elected), Richmond Hursthouse
(1011 votes), John Kerr
(910 votes) and Lock (74 votes).
1,134. In 1914 Snodgrass mounted a strong campaign against Lock, citing his failure to meet his election promises. Lock, with support from some councillors, mounted an equally strong campaign against Snodgrass, making it one of the fiercest election battles the city had seen. The final count was so close (5 votes) that it took a further week before the outcome was confirmed. Lock won by 1050 votes to Snodgrass' 1045.
Lock stood again in 1915. Charles Harley campaigned against him and became Mayor, winning by 1,223 votes to 1,065. Harley retired in 1917, and Snodgrass and Lock competed again for the mayoralty. Snodgrass won 1,189 votes to 1,149. In the 1919 election Snodgrass won by 1,283 votes to 1,189 against Lock.
Lock's persistance paid off with him being elected from 1921 to 1927. In 1927 he was defeated by W J Moffatt's
1538 votes to his 1449 votes. He stood again in 1931 and was defeated again by Moffat.
His wife Esther was also prominent in service to the community.
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
from 1913 to 1915 and again from 1921 to 1927. Lock was an auctioneer, and a grain and produce merchant for 40 years. During his term as Mayor, HMS New Zealand
HMS New Zealand (1911)
HMS New Zealand was one of three s built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship's construction was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912...
visited Nelson in 1913. Lock died on 20 July 1940 at his home in Collingwood Street, Nelson.
Politics
The 1893 general electionNew Zealand general election, 1893
The New Zealand general election of 1893 was held on Tuesday, 28 November in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 12th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
was contested by four candidates in the Nelson electorate
Nelson (New Zealand electorate)
Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson...
: John Graham
John Graham (politician)
John Graham was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Nelson in the South Island.-Early life:Graham was born in Nelson in 1843, the eldest son of one of the earliest settlers of the region.-Member of Parliament:...
(1289 votes – elected), Richmond Hursthouse
Richmond Hursthouse
Richmond Hursthouse was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Nelson, New Zealand, and a cabinet minister.He represented the Motueka electorate from 1876 to 1887 when he was defeated....
(1011 votes), John Kerr
John Kerr (Nelson politician)
John Kerr was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand.Following the resignation from Parliament of Joseph Shephard, who had been appointed to the Legislative Council, a Waimea by-election was held on 3 June 1885. It was contested by six candidates: Kerr , W. N. Franklyn ,...
(910 votes) and Lock (74 votes).
Local government
In Lock's 1913 campaign for the mayoralty he sought lower rates and better use of Council funds. Lock was elected with 1,226 votes to William Wallace Snodgrass'William Snodgrass (politician)
Hon William W Snodgrass MBE Mayor and Councillor for Nelson, New Zealand. Snodgrass was born in Liverpool, the son of Robert Snodgrass. His early education was at Liverpool Methodist School. When he was 10 his family migrated to Nelson...
1,134. In 1914 Snodgrass mounted a strong campaign against Lock, citing his failure to meet his election promises. Lock, with support from some councillors, mounted an equally strong campaign against Snodgrass, making it one of the fiercest election battles the city had seen. The final count was so close (5 votes) that it took a further week before the outcome was confirmed. Lock won by 1050 votes to Snodgrass' 1045.
Lock stood again in 1915. Charles Harley campaigned against him and became Mayor, winning by 1,223 votes to 1,065. Harley retired in 1917, and Snodgrass and Lock competed again for the mayoralty. Snodgrass won 1,189 votes to 1,149. In the 1919 election Snodgrass won by 1,283 votes to 1,189 against Lock.
Lock's persistance paid off with him being elected from 1921 to 1927. In 1927 he was defeated by W J Moffatt's
Walter Moffatt
Walter John Moffatt Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand from 1927 to 1935. The son of Harry Louis Moffatt, wharfinger at Motueka, Moffatt was a coachbuilder by trade having served his time in Nelson and Motueka. He followed his occupation in Feilding, Palmerston North, and Marton, before returning to...
1538 votes to his 1449 votes. He stood again in 1931 and was defeated again by Moffat.
Other institutions
Lock was chairman of the Education Board, a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and a number of other civic organisations including the New Zealand Municipal Association, Nelson Harbour Board, and Cawthron Trust Board. His service with the Education Board spanned 30 years.His wife Esther was also prominent in service to the community.