Joseph Levien
Joseph Henry Levien | |
|---|---|
 Joseph Levien | |
| 2nd Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand | |
| In office 26 February 1875 – 7 June 1876 | |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 7 June 1876 Nelson |
John Henry Levien (died 7 June 1876) Esquire, JP was a Freemason[1] 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[2] 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. 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.[3] 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.[4]
Levien was appointed a Justice of the Peace in March 1875.[5]
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.[6] This significant event prompted Levien to invite the Governor (The Marquess of Normanby), Premier (Julius Vogel) and ministers to celebrate the landing.[7] He was politely declined by the Premier and derided in the neighbouring province's newspaper.
Levien died in office on 7 June 1876 after a long and painful illness.[8]
References
- ^ Nelson Evening Mail, pg 2, 7 June 1876
- ^ Nelson Evening Mail, pg 2, 7 June 1876
- ^ Editorial, pg 2, The Nelson Evening Mail, 27 November 1875
- ^ The Colonist, pg 3, 7 December 1875
- ^ Local and general news, pg 3, The Colonist, 11 March 1875
- ^ Landing the New Zealand Cable at Schroder's Mistake, pg 3, Colonist, 19 February 1876
- ^ Editorial, pg 3, The Marlborough Express, 23 February 1876
- ^ "The Nelson Evening Mail". Nelson Evening Mail. Volume XI, Issue 142, 7 June 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
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