William Prudhoe
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William Prudhoe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 18th Mayor of Christchurch | |
| In office 16 December 1891 – 21 December 1892 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Gray |
| Succeeded by | Eden George |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 January 1832 Sunderland, England |
| Died | 29 April 1908 (aged 76) Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Profession | Builder |
William Prudhoe JP (14 January 1832 – 29 April 1908) was a New Zealand builder and local politician. He served as the mayor of Christchurch in 1892.[1]
Prudhoe was born Sunderland, England. He received his education at a public school and then undertook an apprenticeship as a builder and mason. He married Anne (Annie) Adamson in 1855 and had two boys in England; the second one (Joseph) was born in Durham.[2][3] They emigrated on the Regina, arriving in Lyttelton on 4 December 1859.[2][4] The Prudhoes never returned to England.[5] They had one further child in New Zealand; Mary Evangaline was born in 1867.[6]
Professional life
After his arrival, Prudhoe participated in one of the New Zealand gold rushes as a digger.[7] Otherwise, was self-employed in Christchurch. He built many of the town's important buildings, including the first section of the Canterbury Museum (1870),[8] the Kaiapoi Borough School (1874),[9] Coker's Hotel in Manchester Street (1879),[10] the synagoge in Gloucester Street (1881),[11][12] and Bonnington's (or Bonnington House) in High Street (1883).[13] For many years, he was in a partnership with William Henry Cooper.[14]
Political career
Prudhoe was first elected onto Christchurch City Council for the North-west ward in September 1882[15] and remained a member until his election as mayor.[16][17] Prudhoe announced his intention to run for mayor and for a long time, it was expected that he was going to be returned unopposed. George Bonnington, another city councillor, received a petition to stand for election that he acceded to. Prudhoe won the election, held on 25 November 1891, by 604 votes to 544.[18] Prudhoe was installed as mayor on 16 December 1891.[19] He served for one term and did not stand for re-election in November 1892.[20] He was succeeded by Eden George, who was installed on 21 December 1892.[21]
Prudhoe was again elected onto Christchurch City Council in 1894 and remained a city councillor for seven years,[12] when he failed to get re-elected in the 1901 election.[22] He was a member of the North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board and was on the Hospital Board for five years.[16]