James Hamlin Walker
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12 March 1862
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin, New Zealand
James Hamlin Walker | |
|---|---|
 Walker in 1919 | |
| 34th Mayor of Dunedin | |
| In office 5 May 1909 – 4 May 1910 | |
| Preceded by | John McDonald |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Cole |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Walker 12 March 1862 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 16 December 1944 (aged 82) Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Spouse |
Isabel Blakeley (m. 1892) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Sharebroker |
James Hamlin Walker (12 March 1862 – 16 September 1944) was a New Zealand local body politician, sharebroker, and earlier plumber. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1909 to 1910.
James Hamlin Walker was born in Dunedin on 12 March 1862, the son of Thomas Walker and Helen Walker (née Hay).[1] He was educated privately and at Union Street School.[2] On leaving school he joined his brother to form the plumbing firm Walker Brothers.[3] Walker became a sharebroker and land agent in 1913 and was a member of the Dunedin Stock Exchange.[3] He married Isabel Blakeley in 1892.[4][5]
Local politics
First elected to the Dunedin City Council as representative for the High Ward in 1904, Walker served as Mayor of Dunedin for a single one-year term, from 1909 to 1910.[2] His period of office included the initiation of an amalgamation between Dunedin City and North East Valley Borough.[6] He also submitted a proposal for amalgamation with the Dunedin Drainage Board and was instrumental in setting up a committee for the review of by-laws.[6] He did not stand for re-election.
Walker was the first Chairman of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, a position he held for eight years.[2] He led a campaign for the extension of the hospital system in the province, particular with regard to sanitoria.[2] He served as Chairman of the Otago Harbour Board and was a member of the University of Otago Council for eleven years.[2] He was a member of the High Street School Committee for ten years and chairman for three. After World War I he was chairman of the committee which raised funds to build premises for the Dunedin Returned Services' Association.[2]