Joseph Auty Harley was Mayor of Nelson

Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand

The Mayor of Nelson is the head of the municipal government of Nelson, New Zealand, and presides over the Nelson City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...

, New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 from 20 December 1899 to 1901 when he was succeeded by Henry Baigent

Henry Baigent

Henry Baigent was a timber miller, and served as a Nelson city councillor and mayor. The Nelson firm of H Baigent and Sons Ltd was formed by him. His funeral was noted as one of the largest that had ever taken place in Nelson.- Family :...

.

Early life

Harley was born in Nelson in 1843, being the son of an early pioneer Charles Harley. He was educated at Nelson College

Nelson College

Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...

. He married and had a son and daughter.

Career

Harley first worked in the Resident Magistrate's office in 1858. By November 1863 he was appointed deputy clerk to the District Court and assistant clerk to the Magistrates Court. He held this position for some considerable time. Harley also acted as collector of the sheep and dog tax,and education rates. In 1868 Harley was made clerk to the Resident Magistrates Court, and a year later he received the appointment of Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court, and Returning Officer. Also in 1869 he was appointed Provincial Accountant, a position he held for twelve years. In 1871 he left the Government service to enter into business as a brewer, an occupation he continued in until his death.

Community activities

Harley also took a very keen interest in sport, was Treasurer of the Nelson Jockey Club, President of the Nelson Trotting Club, Vice-President of the Nelson Rugby Union, and served on a number of other athletic bodies. He was also a volunteer fireman for a time.

He also a Chair of both the Foresters and Oddfellows Lodges. He joined the Masonic Brotherhood and was a member of the Southern Star Lodge, No 739.

Local government

Harley was a Councillor and later for twenty years from 29 September 1881 to 1901. He held the office of Mayor from 1899 to 1901. Harley was first elected for the Waimea Ward, along with Edward Everett and William Akersten.

Death

Harley died after a period of illness at his residence in Trafalgar Square, at 6.30pm on 9 July 1906.