Walter Moffatt
Encyclopedia
Walter John Moffatt Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand
from 1927 to 1935. The son of Harry Louis Moffatt, wharfinger at Motueka, Moffatt was a coachbuilder by trade having served his time in Nelson and Motueka. He followed his occupation in Feilding, Palmerston North
, and Marton
, before returning to Motueka to set up his own business. He was married with three children, two sons and one daughter. Moffatt died on 14 May 1938 aged 71.
Road Board, when it decided to break away from Waimea County Council and set up the Motueka Borough Council.
That same year Moffatt stood against Roderick McKenzie
, a Seddon
supporter, for the Motueka parliamentary seat and then, having been unsuccessful, stood in 1900 for the new Motueka Borough Council. In 1902 Moffatt stood for Motueka Mayor but was unsuccessful. He stood unsuccessfully again in 1904. Moffat did not stand for the Borough Council in 1905.
In 1906 Moffatt was a successful candidate for the Motueka Harbour Board. In 1907 he stood again for Council and was tied in 6th place with Mr Grooby. To determine who would be Councillor, the returning officer drew lots, which resulted Moffat being the successful candidate.
Moffat retired from business and moved from Motueka to Nelson in October 1907. In 1908 he stood for the Nelson electorate against John Graham
and Harry Atmore
. He gained only 317 votes to their 2909 and 2713 votes.
Moffat stood for the Nelson Harbour Board in 1911 and 1913 but was unsuccessful. He also stood again for the Nelson electorate, this time receiving a greatly increased number of votes, but still losing to Harry Atmore
in the second ballot. The papers of the time noted that Moffat's campaign had been a fair one centred solely on political issues. It also noted that this had enhanced his standing in the community.
In 1915 he stood for and became a Nelson City Councillor.
. In 1929 Lock contested the Mayoralty again, but was defeated by Moffatt 1935 votes to 1448. Moffatt was elected unopposed in 1931 and 1933. Moffatt did not stand for election in 1935 due to ill health and was succeeded by George Page
. At the pursuasion of the other Councillors he did stand successfully for Council.
friendly society member. A member of the Motueka Fruitgrowers Co-operative Association. Moffat was a representative for the Huia Rugby Football Club on the Nelson Rugby Union. He was a member of the Nelson Debating Society and the Nelson Provincial Scottish Society.
Moffat was named as one of the founders of the Nelson Advancement Society in 1914 and was also noted as being one of the main drivers behind the establishment of Motueka High School
.
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....
from 1927 to 1935. The son of Harry Louis Moffatt, wharfinger at Motueka, Moffatt was a coachbuilder by trade having served his time in Nelson and Motueka. He followed his occupation in Feilding, Palmerston North
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
, and Marton
Marton, New Zealand
Marton is the hub of the Rangitikei district of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is situated 35 kilometres southeast of Wanganui and 40 kilometres northwest of Palmerston North. The population was 4752 .-History:...
, before returning to Motueka to set up his own business. He was married with three children, two sons and one daughter. Moffatt died on 14 May 1938 aged 71.
Political Career
Moffat resettled in Motueka in 1886. In 1899 Moffatt was on the MotuekaMotueka
The town of Motueka in the South Island of New Zealand lies close to the mouth of the Motueka River, on the western shore of Tasman Bay. It is, after Nelson and Richmond, the third largest centre in the Tasman Region, with a population of 7125...
Road Board, when it decided to break away from Waimea County Council and set up the Motueka Borough Council.
That same year Moffatt stood against Roderick McKenzie
Roderick McKenzie
Roderick McKenzie was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Buller and Motueka, in the South Island.-Member of Parliament:...
, a Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
supporter, for the Motueka parliamentary seat and then, having been unsuccessful, stood in 1900 for the new Motueka Borough Council. In 1902 Moffatt stood for Motueka Mayor but was unsuccessful. He stood unsuccessfully again in 1904. Moffat did not stand for the Borough Council in 1905.
In 1906 Moffatt was a successful candidate for the Motueka Harbour Board. In 1907 he stood again for Council and was tied in 6th place with Mr Grooby. To determine who would be Councillor, the returning officer drew lots, which resulted Moffat being the successful candidate.
Moffat retired from business and moved from Motueka to Nelson in October 1907. In 1908 he stood for the Nelson electorate against John Graham
John Graham (politician)
John Graham was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Nelson in the South Island.-Early life:Graham was born in Nelson in 1843, the eldest son of one of the earliest settlers of the region.-Member of Parliament:...
and Harry Atmore
Harry Atmore
Harry Atmore was a New Zealand Independent Member of Parliament for Nelson in the South Island.Harry Atmore held the Nelson seat as an Independent for a total of thirty years from 1911 to 1914 and then from 1919 to his death in 1946...
. He gained only 317 votes to their 2909 and 2713 votes.
Moffat stood for the Nelson Harbour Board in 1911 and 1913 but was unsuccessful. He also stood again for the Nelson electorate, this time receiving a greatly increased number of votes, but still losing to Harry Atmore
Harry Atmore
Harry Atmore was a New Zealand Independent Member of Parliament for Nelson in the South Island.Harry Atmore held the Nelson seat as an Independent for a total of thirty years from 1911 to 1914 and then from 1919 to his death in 1946...
in the second ballot. The papers of the time noted that Moffat's campaign had been a fair one centred solely on political issues. It also noted that this had enhanced his standing in the community.
In 1915 he stood for and became a Nelson City Councillor.
Mayoralty
Moffatt first contested the Mayoralty in 1927, defeating the sitting Mayor, William LockWilliam Lock
William Lock was Mayor of Nelson from 1913 to 1915 and again from 1921 to 1927. Lock was an auctioneer, and a grain and produce merchant for 40 years. During his term as Mayor, HMS New Zealand visited Nelson in 1913...
. In 1929 Lock contested the Mayoralty again, but was defeated by Moffatt 1935 votes to 1448. Moffatt was elected unopposed in 1931 and 1933. Moffatt did not stand for election in 1935 due to ill health and was succeeded by George Page
George Page (mayor)
George Lloyd Page Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand from 1935 to 1941. Page was born in Bilston, Staffordshire, England on 31 March 1878 and his family migrated to New Zealand in 1879. His father was also named George.....
. At the pursuasion of the other Councillors he did stand successfully for Council.
Community Service
Moffatt was involved with a number of community organisations. In 1900 he was among those who sought to establish a volunteer Corps in Motueka. He was chair of the Motueka School Committee and in 1909 elected to the Nelson City School Committee. An Ancient Order of ForestersAncient Order of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters is a friendly society which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and has approximately 70,000 members...
friendly society member. A member of the Motueka Fruitgrowers Co-operative Association. Moffat was a representative for the Huia Rugby Football Club on the Nelson Rugby Union. He was a member of the Nelson Debating Society and the Nelson Provincial Scottish Society.
Moffat was named as one of the founders of the Nelson Advancement Society in 1914 and was also noted as being one of the main drivers behind the establishment of Motueka High School
Motueka High School
Motueka High School is a coeducational secondary school in Motueka, New Zealand. Like many rural schools it is known for its sport, although the arts and academia have become more prevalent in recent years....
.