Aitchison was born in Glasgow. His family first came to New Zealand in 1900, but returned to Scotland the next year. In 1904 they came back to New Zealand permanently, and Aitchison began working at a grocery store in Christchurch. He moved to Invercargill in 1922 and started a hardware business.[1]
Political career
Aitchison was elected to the Invercargill City Council in 1941 and was re-elected in 1944, topping the poll and thus becoming deputy mayor. While on the council, he advocated for council housing for the elderly. In August 1950, mayor Abraham Wachner died, and Aitchison was appointed as mayor by the council until the election later that year.[2] He did not intend to contest the election, but allowed his nomination to be submitted when no other councillor would step forward. Following former councillor Brian Hewat's entry into the race, Aitchison withdrew his nomination and announced his retirement from politics altogether, leaving Hewat to be elected unopposed.[1][3]
Personal life
Aitchison was a Presbyterian and attended First Church. He became an elder of the church in June 1926 and taught at the Sunday school for 22 years. He was married twice, having two children in his first marriage and three in his second marriage to Vera Parker. He died in Invercargill on 2 January 1957 and is buried in the Eastern Cemetery.[1][4]
References
^ abc"Mr William Aitchison's Death In Invercargill Yesterday". The Southland Times. 3 January 1957.
^"PERSONAL". Ashburton Guardian. Papers Past. 26 August 1950.
^"NO CONTEST". Otago Daily Times. Papers Past. 8 November 1950.
^"Information on past Mayors of Invercargill City" (PDF). Invercargill City Council.
william, aitchison, 1880, 1881, january, 1957, zealand, politician, served, mayor, invercargill, 1950, 36th, mayor, invercargillin, office, august, 1950, november, 1950personal, detailsborn1880, 1881glasgow, scotlanddied2, january, 1957, aged, invercargill, ze. William Aitchison JP 1880 or 1881 2 January 1957 was a New Zealand politician who served as the mayor of Invercargill in 1950 William Aitchison36th Mayor of InvercargillIn office August 1950 November 1950Personal detailsBorn1880 or 1881Glasgow ScotlandDied2 January 1957 aged 76 Invercargill New ZealandSpouseVera ParkerChildren5 Contents 1 Early life 2 Political career 3 Personal life 4 ReferencesEarly life EditAitchison was born in Glasgow His family first came to New Zealand in 1900 but returned to Scotland the next year In 1904 they came back to New Zealand permanently and Aitchison began working at a grocery store in Christchurch He moved to Invercargill in 1922 and started a hardware business 1 Political career EditAitchison was elected to the Invercargill City Council in 1941 and was re elected in 1944 topping the poll and thus becoming deputy mayor While on the council he advocated for council housing for the elderly In August 1950 mayor Abraham Wachner died and Aitchison was appointed as mayor by the council until the election later that year 2 He did not intend to contest the election but allowed his nomination to be submitted when no other councillor would step forward Following former councillor Brian Hewat s entry into the race Aitchison withdrew his nomination and announced his retirement from politics altogether leaving Hewat to be elected unopposed 1 3 Personal life EditAitchison was a Presbyterian and attended First Church He became an elder of the church in June 1926 and taught at the Sunday school for 22 years He was married twice having two children in his first marriage and three in his second marriage to Vera Parker He died in Invercargill on 2 January 1957 and is buried in the Eastern Cemetery 1 4 References Edit a b c Mr William Aitchison s Death In Invercargill Yesterday The Southland Times 3 January 1957 PERSONAL Ashburton Guardian Papers Past 26 August 1950 NO CONTEST Otago Daily Times Papers Past 8 November 1950 Information on past Mayors of Invercargill City PDF Invercargill City Council Political officesPreceded byAbraham Wachner Mayor of Invercargill1950 1953 Succeeded byBrian Hewat Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Aitchison amp oldid 1122640690, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
