James Gunson
Encyclopedia
Sir James Henry Gunson was a New Zealand businessman and Mayor of Auckland City
from 1915 to 1925. He was knighted in 1924.
As Mayor, he undertook the building of Auckland Museum and Cenotaph, the Wintergardens in Auckland Domain
and the construction of Tamaki Drive. In later public life, he was responsible for the monument on One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) and the treeplanting of Cornwall Park, fulfilling Sir John Logan Campbell
's vision. Gunson was Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board 1911-15, and was a member of the Government Railways Board 1931-35.
Born and educated in Auckland, he took over the seed-grain business of his father, William Gunson. He stood several times for Parliament, unsuccessfully; (Mt Roskill
in 1919, Eden
in 1926 and then Auckland Suburbs
in 1928).
Several parts of the city bear his name or gift. His farming property to the South of Auckland in Manukau, called Totara Park, was later gifted to the city of Auckland. His main town residence, in St Andrew's Road, Epsom, became the Tongan royal residence, which it remains. A further Auckland property (named Rydal Mount after the residence of the English poet William Wordsworth
) was by the same architect, Draffin, that Gunson had chosen to design Auckland Museum. Gunson Street, in South Auckland, is named after him.
He married Jessie Helen Wiseman (later Lady Gunson, OBE) in 1905. They had three children; William, Geoffrey and Margaret.
Mayor of Auckland City
The Mayor of Auckland City was the directly elected head of the Auckland City Council, the municipal government of Auckland City, New Zealand. The office existed from 1871 to 2010, when Auckland City Council was abolished and replaced with the Auckland Council....
from 1915 to 1925. He was knighted in 1924.
As Mayor, he undertook the building of Auckland Museum and Cenotaph, the Wintergardens in Auckland Domain
Auckland Domain
The Auckland Domain is Auckland's oldest park, and at 75 hectares one of the largest in the city. Located in the central suburb of Grafton, the park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano....
and the construction of Tamaki Drive. In later public life, he was responsible for the monument on One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) and the treeplanting of Cornwall Park, fulfilling Sir John Logan Campbell
John Logan Campbell
Sir John Logan Campbell was a prominent New Zealand public figure. He was the son of Doctor John Campbell and his wife Catherine. He was described by his contemporaries as "the father of Auckland".- Early life:...
's vision. Gunson was Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board 1911-15, and was a member of the Government Railways Board 1931-35.
Born and educated in Auckland, he took over the seed-grain business of his father, William Gunson. He stood several times for Parliament, unsuccessfully; (Mt Roskill
Mount Roskill (New Zealand electorate)
Mount Roskill is a Parliamentary electorate in Auckland, New Zealand, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Representatives. Phil Goff of the Labour Party has held the seat since the 1999 election....
in 1919, Eden
Eden (New Zealand electorate)
Eden is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in the city of Auckland.-Population Centres:The electorate is urban, and comprises a number of inner-city suburbs in the central-south part of Auckland.-History:...
in 1926 and then Auckland Suburbs
Auckland Suburbs (New Zealand electorate)
Auckland Suburbs was a parliamentary electorate in Auckland, New Zealand from 1928 to 1946.-History:The electorate was formed for the 1928 general election...
in 1928).
Several parts of the city bear his name or gift. His farming property to the South of Auckland in Manukau, called Totara Park, was later gifted to the city of Auckland. His main town residence, in St Andrew's Road, Epsom, became the Tongan royal residence, which it remains. A further Auckland property (named Rydal Mount after the residence of the English poet William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was a major English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with the 1798 joint publication Lyrical Ballads....
) was by the same architect, Draffin, that Gunson had chosen to design Auckland Museum. Gunson Street, in South Auckland, is named after him.
He married Jessie Helen Wiseman (later Lady Gunson, OBE) in 1905. They had three children; William, Geoffrey and Margaret.