Andrew Duncan (mayor)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Duncan was Mayor of Christchurch
1869–1870. From a working class background in Scotland, he emigrated to New Zealand as a young man and became a highly respected member of the Christchurch
community. He is remembered for his later work as an immigration agent in Scotland on behalf of the Canterbury Province
.
in 1834 to the gardener George Duncan (1791–1866) and his wife Christina. The four members of the Duncan family (the parents with Andrew and his younger sister Agnes) came out to New Zealand in 1858, arriving in Lyttelton
on 21 September on the Zealandia.
in his nursery before he set himself up as a nurseryman and seedsman. He had shops in Gloucester Street and later in Cashel Street in the central city of Christchurch
, and nurseries in Phillipstown
(in Duncan's Road, named after himself, but soon renamed Nursery Road) and later in Ensors Road. He specialised in new or rare plants, and greenhouse stock.
Duncan married Isabella after he had been in Canterbury for a few years. His sister Agnes Duncan married William Boag on 17 June 1886. Boag became a wealthy man and the Christchurch suburb of Burnside
is named after his residence. Agnes died on 17 September 1923, almost 20 years after Boag.
The Duncans had many children. Alexander Storie Duncan was born on 28 November 1870. Ronald O. Duncan was their sixth son and was born in Christchurch in 1875. James Robertson Duncan (d. 1914) founded the nursery Duncan and Davies in New Plymouth.
and the prior town council were held annually. He was elected four times: 1866–1868 and 1870. He was thus a councillor when the town council became the first city council, which held its first meeting on 10 June 1868.
On 15 December 1869, the city council held its annual general meeting. In those days, the councillors elected one of their group as mayor at an annual meeting, i.e. the position was not elected at large (by the voting public) as is the case today. Councillor Duncan was elected as the third mayor of Christchurch.
The councillors visited the Duncans at their home on 20 December 1870, the day before the next mayoral election. This was mainly to thank Duncan's wife Isabella for her role as mayoress and was at their place, as she had recently given birth to their son Alexander Storie Duncan (28 November 1870). At the general meeting on 21 December 1870, James Jameson was elected as the next mayor. With Duncan's term on council about to expire, he announced his intention to retire.
in January 1871 in the Christchurch East
electorate. He was beaten by Edward Jerningham Wakefield
by 169 votes to 154. In his valedictory speech, Duncan vowed to never stand again for a seat in parliament. Indeed, when Duncan was urged by many quarters to stand for the 1875–76 election in the City of Christchurch electorate
, he declined.
for two periods. He represented the electorate on the 5th Council from January 1868 to March 1870, and again from July 1871 to August 1873 on the 6th Council. During both Councils, he was on the Executive for brief periods, in June 1869 and from April to June 1872.
Attracting immigrants to New Zealand fell within the responsibility of the central government. As the government agents were all from the North Island, the South Island provinces felt that they were missing out. The Canterbury Superintendent, William Rolleston
, wrote to Premier Julius Vogel
in May 1873 that his province's interests were not sufficiently looked after. The request for a Canterbury emigration agent was granted, and Duncan was asked in 1873 by the Canterbury Provincial Council to fulfil this role. He accepted and resigned in the second half of 1873, so that he could take on this post.
There was a large dinner with 125 guests held for Duncan before his departure to the 'Old Country'. His strategy was to stress the class system back home, where one depended on their feudal lord and had no real future. Children had to go to work at young age, whereas in Canterbury, they would receive an education. In New Zealand, men of the highest education would help the newcomers. With six to ten years of steady work and a sober life, one could amass fortunes unimaginable back home and get ahead in life. Duncan would use himself as an example.
He proved to be very effective in his role. In nine days, he interviewed 900 perspective emigrants and chose 190 to be sent out on the ship Canterbury, bringing ‘as fine a lot of Scotch girls [as] have ever come to Canterbury … good, robust, healthy and comely lasses, intelligent and educated’. Another of his ships, the Crusader, brought out some 376 emigrants, mainly agricultural workers. Duncan's new settlers were long regarded as of the finest quality. Duncan acted in this role for about one year.
He served on other bodies, like the Drainage Board, the Waste Lands Board, and the South Waimakariri Board of Conservation. He was a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and chaired this organisation at the time of his death. He was a member of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, including secretary at one point. At the time of his death, he was the vice-president of the Union Rowing Club.
. He was a follower of the first Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Charles Fraser (1823–1886), of St Andrew's Church. In 1858, Fraser established Addington Cemetery (43.54350°N 172.62360°W) in Addington
as a public burial ground. It was often called the 'Scotch Cemetery' because of its links to the Presbyterian Church, but it was open to all denominations and was thus the first 'public' cemetery in Christchurch. The cemetery was eventually taken over by the Christchurch City Council. St Andrew's Church was relocated from its original site to Rangi Ruru Girls' School
in 1986.
When Fraser's more liberal views clashed with those of his congregation, many of his congregation left, including the Duncans. A second congregation was formed at St Paul's Church
. With two others, he travelled to Wanganui
, trying and succeeding to attract Rev. Elmslie to St Paul's. John Anderson
's oldest daughter, Jean, was married to Elmslie in 1881, with the reception at their house Inveresk. Anderson was Duncan's mayoral predecessor.
Although Canterbury was an Anglican settlement, the first three mayors were all Presbyterian
Scotsmen
—William Wilson
in 1868, followed by Anderson in 1869 and Duncan in 1870.
, where he improved, and Melbourne
, where he suffered a relapse. He came home on 18 November and never again arose from the sick bed. He died on 9 December 1880 at his residence in Ferry Road, aged 46. He was buried at Addington Cemetery on Monday, 13 December 1880, in one of the largest funeral processions that Christchurch had witnessed for some years. The Christchurch City Council adjourned their weekly meeting out of respect.
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
1869–1870. From a working class background in Scotland, he emigrated to New Zealand as a young man and became a highly respected member of the Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
community. He is remembered for his later work as an immigration agent in Scotland on behalf of the Canterbury Province
Canterbury Province
The Canterbury Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. On the east coast the province was bounded by the Hurunui River in the north and the Waitaki River in the south...
.
Early life
Duncan was born in western ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1834 to the gardener George Duncan (1791–1866) and his wife Christina. The four members of the Duncan family (the parents with Andrew and his younger sister Agnes) came out to New Zealand in 1858, arriving in Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
on 21 September on the Zealandia.
Life in New Zealand
Duncan recalled in 1873 that in his early days, he was "not ashamed to turn his hand to whatever employment presented itself". He ploughed, sowed and worked in road construction. He regarded the portion of the Great North Road from the Styx River to Chaneys that he had formed as "one of the best in the colony". For some time, he was employed by Christchurch's first mayor William WilsonWilliam Wilson (mayor)
William Barbour Wilson , also known as "Cabbage" Wilson, was the first Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand in 1868.-Early life:...
in his nursery before he set himself up as a nurseryman and seedsman. He had shops in Gloucester Street and later in Cashel Street in the central city of Christchurch
Christchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
, and nurseries in Phillipstown
Phillipstown, New Zealand
Phillipstown is a small inner suburb of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It lies south-east of the city centre being bordered by Tuam Street to the north, Olliviers Road to the east, the Lyttelton rail line to the south, and Fitzgerald Avenue to the west....
(in Duncan's Road, named after himself, but soon renamed Nursery Road) and later in Ensors Road. He specialised in new or rare plants, and greenhouse stock.
Duncan married Isabella after he had been in Canterbury for a few years. His sister Agnes Duncan married William Boag on 17 June 1886. Boag became a wealthy man and the Christchurch suburb of Burnside
Burnside, Canterbury
Burnside is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located southeast of Christchurch International Airport. As with most suburbs in Christchurch, it has no defined boundaries and is a general area.-History:...
is named after his residence. Agnes died on 17 September 1923, almost 20 years after Boag.
The Duncans had many children. Alexander Storie Duncan was born on 28 November 1870. Ronald O. Duncan was their sixth son and was born in Christchurch in 1875. James Robertson Duncan (d. 1914) founded the nursery Duncan and Davies in New Plymouth.
Christchurch City Council
Elections for Christchurch City CouncilChristchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
and the prior town council were held annually. He was elected four times: 1866–1868 and 1870. He was thus a councillor when the town council became the first city council, which held its first meeting on 10 June 1868.
On 15 December 1869, the city council held its annual general meeting. In those days, the councillors elected one of their group as mayor at an annual meeting, i.e. the position was not elected at large (by the voting public) as is the case today. Councillor Duncan was elected as the third mayor of Christchurch.
The councillors visited the Duncans at their home on 20 December 1870, the day before the next mayoral election. This was mainly to thank Duncan's wife Isabella for her role as mayoress and was at their place, as she had recently given birth to their son Alexander Storie Duncan (28 November 1870). At the general meeting on 21 December 1870, James Jameson was elected as the next mayor. With Duncan's term on council about to expire, he announced his intention to retire.
Parliamentary ambitions
Duncan stood for ParliamentParliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
in January 1871 in the Christchurch East
Christchurch East
Christchurch East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It is currently held by Lianne Dalziel of the Labour Party.-History:The electorate was first created, as Christchurch City East, for the...
electorate. He was beaten by Edward Jerningham Wakefield
Edward Jerningham Wakefield
Edward Jerningham Wakefield was the only son of Edward Gibbon Wakefield. He was born in London, and educated in England and France....
by 169 votes to 154. In his valedictory speech, Duncan vowed to never stand again for a seat in parliament. Indeed, when Duncan was urged by many quarters to stand for the 1875–76 election in the City of Christchurch electorate
Christchurch (New Zealand electorate)
Christchurch was a parliamentary electorate in Christchurch, New Zealand. It existed three times. Originally it was the Town of Christchurch from 1853 to 1860. From the 1860–61 election to the 1871 election, it existed as City of Christchurch. It then existed from the 1875–76 election until the...
, he declined.
Canterbury Provincial Council
Duncan was a member for Heathcote on the Canterbury Provincial CouncilCanterbury Province
The Canterbury Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. On the east coast the province was bounded by the Hurunui River in the north and the Waitaki River in the south...
for two periods. He represented the electorate on the 5th Council from January 1868 to March 1870, and again from July 1871 to August 1873 on the 6th Council. During both Councils, he was on the Executive for brief periods, in June 1869 and from April to June 1872.
Attracting immigrants to New Zealand fell within the responsibility of the central government. As the government agents were all from the North Island, the South Island provinces felt that they were missing out. The Canterbury Superintendent, William Rolleston
William Rolleston
William Rolleston was a New Zealand politician, public administrator, educationalist and Canterbury provincial superintendent.-Early life:...
, wrote to Premier 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...
in May 1873 that his province's interests were not sufficiently looked after. The request for a Canterbury emigration agent was granted, and Duncan was asked in 1873 by the Canterbury Provincial Council to fulfil this role. He accepted and resigned in the second half of 1873, so that he could take on this post.
There was a large dinner with 125 guests held for Duncan before his departure to the 'Old Country'. His strategy was to stress the class system back home, where one depended on their feudal lord and had no real future. Children had to go to work at young age, whereas in Canterbury, they would receive an education. In New Zealand, men of the highest education would help the newcomers. With six to ten years of steady work and a sober life, one could amass fortunes unimaginable back home and get ahead in life. Duncan would use himself as an example.
He proved to be very effective in his role. In nine days, he interviewed 900 perspective emigrants and chose 190 to be sent out on the ship Canterbury, bringing ‘as fine a lot of Scotch girls [as] have ever come to Canterbury … good, robust, healthy and comely lasses, intelligent and educated’. Another of his ships, the Crusader, brought out some 376 emigrants, mainly agricultural workers. Duncan's new settlers were long regarded as of the finest quality. Duncan acted in this role for about one year.
Public life
After his return from England, Duncan became involved in education. He was appointed to the Board of Education, and later chairman, and became commissioner of School reserves. In his role, he opened several district state schools.He served on other bodies, like the Drainage Board, the Waste Lands Board, and the South Waimakariri Board of Conservation. He was a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and chaired this organisation at the time of his death. He was a member of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, including secretary at one point. At the time of his death, he was the vice-president of the Union Rowing Club.
Presbyterian Church
The Duncans were one of five Scottish settler families in Canterbury. Duncan was active in the Presbyterian ChurchPresbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
. He was a follower of the first Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Charles Fraser (1823–1886), of St Andrew's Church. In 1858, Fraser established Addington Cemetery (43.54350°N 172.62360°W) in Addington
Addington, New Zealand
Addington is a major suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is sited south-west of the city centre.-Description:The suburb was named for the country residence of Bishop John Sumner, one of the leading members of the Canterbury Association....
as a public burial ground. It was often called the 'Scotch Cemetery' because of its links to the Presbyterian Church, but it was open to all denominations and was thus the first 'public' cemetery in Christchurch. The cemetery was eventually taken over by the Christchurch City Council. St Andrew's Church was relocated from its original site to Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Rangi Ruru
Rangi Ruru Girls' School is a school located in Christchurch, New Zealand for girls aged 11 to 18 .It is an independent day and boarding school in the inner suburb of Merivale, close to the central city, parks, museum and airport.-History:...
in 1986.
When Fraser's more liberal views clashed with those of his congregation, many of his congregation left, including the Duncans. A second congregation was formed at St Paul's Church
St Paul's Church, Christchurch
St Paul's Church in Cashel Street, Christchurch, was a Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. It was demolished after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.-History:...
. With two others, he travelled to Wanganui
Whanganui
Various places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
, trying and succeeding to attract Rev. Elmslie to St Paul's. John Anderson
John Anderson (mayor)
John Anderson was the second Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand 1868–1869, and a successful businessman. He had a close connection with three buildings that have later received Category I heritage registrations by the...
's oldest daughter, Jean, was married to Elmslie in 1881, with the reception at their house Inveresk. Anderson was Duncan's mayoral predecessor.
Although Canterbury was an Anglican settlement, the first three mayors were all Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
Scotsmen
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
—William Wilson
William Wilson (mayor)
William Barbour Wilson , also known as "Cabbage" Wilson, was the first Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand in 1868.-Early life:...
in 1868, followed by Anderson in 1869 and Duncan in 1870.
Death
Duncan, who had always been of good health, fell ill in mid-1880. What was thought of as bronchitis was diagnosed as heart disease, and his doctor recommended a trip to Australia. He travelled to SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, where he improved, and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, where he suffered a relapse. He came home on 18 November and never again arose from the sick bed. He died on 9 December 1880 at his residence in Ferry Road, aged 46. He was buried at Addington Cemetery on Monday, 13 December 1880, in one of the largest funeral processions that Christchurch had witnessed for some years. The Christchurch City Council adjourned their weekly meeting out of respect.