Ernest Andrews
Encyclopedia
Sir Ernest Herbert Andrews (CBE) (1873 – 9 November 1961) was Mayor of Christchurch
from 1941 until his retirement in 1950. He had served continuously on Christchurch City Council
since 1919.
near Nelson
in 1873. He married Caroline Maria Couzins (born 5 Aug 1872) on 14 Mar 1900. They had three children: Alpha Herbert (b 1901), Pelham Winter (b 1904) and Gwendoline Cynthia (b 1909).
Evelyn Charlotte Couzins (1896–1945) was his late wife's niece.
Andrews' first wife died in 1937, before he became mayor, while his niece, Evelyn Couzins, acted as the mayoress from 1941 until her death in 1945. Couzins made a valued contribution to the community, especially through the organisation of parcels for dispatch to New Zealand servicemen abroad. Although she had suffered from some minor illnesses, she continued to carry out her duties as mayoress until she became seriously ill, two weeks before her death in June 1945. Andrews' daughter Gwendoline then took over the role of mayoress.
Andrews was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
in 1946, and knighted in 1950, the first Christchurch serving mayor to be so honoured. He retired in October 1950, having had been mayor for longer than any other incumbent up to that time.
on 9 November 1961. The funeral service took place at the Rugby Street Methodist church, with which Andrews had been long associated. He is buried at Bromley cemetery
, with his first wife. The simple Andrews grave states that Caroline Andrews lived from 1872–1937 and Ernest Andrews from 1873–1961.
He was survived by his second wife, Florence May Emmett.
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...
from 1941 until his retirement in 1950. He had served continuously on Christchurch City Council
Christchurch 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...
since 1919.
Early years
Andrews was born in BrightwaterBrightwater
Brightwater is a town 20 kilometres southwest of Nelson in Tasman district in the South Island of New Zealand. It stands on the banks of the Wairoa River. Brightwater was named by Alfred Saunders, the owner of a local Flax mill situated on the banks of the Wairoa River, after a popular song at the...
near Nelson
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....
in 1873. He married Caroline Maria Couzins (born 5 Aug 1872) on 14 Mar 1900. They had three children: Alpha Herbert (b 1901), Pelham Winter (b 1904) and Gwendoline Cynthia (b 1909).
Evelyn Charlotte Couzins (1896–1945) was his late wife's niece.
Political career
Andrews was elected as councillor onto Christchurch City Council in 1919. In 1941, he was elected as mayor, a position that he held for three terms until his retirement in 1950. He provided continuous service to Christchurch City Council for 31 years.Andrews' first wife died in 1937, before he became mayor, while his niece, Evelyn Couzins, acted as the mayoress from 1941 until her death in 1945. Couzins made a valued contribution to the community, especially through the organisation of parcels for dispatch to New Zealand servicemen abroad. Although she had suffered from some minor illnesses, she continued to carry out her duties as mayoress until she became seriously ill, two weeks before her death in June 1945. Andrews' daughter Gwendoline then took over the role of mayoress.
Andrews was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1946, and knighted in 1950, the first Christchurch serving mayor to be so honoured. He retired in October 1950, having had been mayor for longer than any other incumbent up to that time.
Later life
Andrews died in ChristchurchChristchurch
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...
on 9 November 1961. The funeral service took place at the Rugby Street Methodist church, with which Andrews had been long associated. He is buried at Bromley cemetery
Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch
Bromley Cemetery is a cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand. It occupies approximately 10 hectares to the east of the city centre, on the corner of Keighleys Road and Linwood Avenue...
, with his first wife. The simple Andrews grave states that Caroline Andrews lived from 1872–1937 and Ernest Andrews from 1873–1961.
He was survived by his second wife, Florence May Emmett.