James Hamlin Walker

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James Hamlin Walker
Walker P2008-011-004b.jpg
Walker in 1919
34th Mayor of Dunedin
In office
5 May 1909 – 4 May 1910
Preceded byJohn McDonald
Succeeded by
Personal details
Born
James Walker

(1862-03-12)12 March 1862
Dunedin, New Zealand
Died16 December 1944(1944-12-16) (aged 82)
Dunedin, New Zealand
Spouse(s)
Isabel Blakeley
​
(m. 1892)​
Children3
OccupationSharebroker

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.

Early life and business career[]

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]

Other activities[]

Strongly interested in music, for thirty years Walker was closely associated with brass bands.[2] He was a Vice President of the New Zealand Bands Association.[2] Over a similar length of time he was closely associated with the Dunedin Competitions Society, his various roles including chairman, treasurer, and committee member.[2] He was also involved with musical arrangements for the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition of 1925-1926. As a trustee and chairman of the Mammoth Art Union Committee, Walker helped oversee the distribution of funds for the improvement of Logan Park.[2]

Walker was associated with St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon for many years.[3] He was also a justice of the peace.[3] A keen bowler, he was a member of the Kaituna Bowling Club.[3]

Death[]

James Hamlin Walker died at his home in Grant Street, Dunedin, on 16 December 1944.[3] He was survived by his wife, a daughter, and four sons.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Birth search: registration number 1862/13763". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Obituary: Mr James Hamlin Walker Former Mayor of Dunedin". Evening Star. 18 December 1944. p. 4. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Obituary: Mr J.H. Walker". Otago Daily Times. 18 December 1944. p. 6. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. ^ Scholefield, Guy H., ed. (1924). Who's Who in New Zealand and the Western Pacific, 1925. Masterton. p. 226.
  5. ^ "Isabel Walker". New Zealand History. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Mr T. Cole Installed as Mayor". Evening Star (Dunedin). 4 May 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Dunedin
1909–1910 		Succeeded by
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