Whangarei Mayoralty

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1944, Page 2 (Supplement)

Whangarei Mayoralty

MR. JOHN GEORGE DRAPER.— Born in Oamaru, Mr Draper was edu cated at the Milton District High School, his parents having arrived in Otago in 1863. In his youth he assisted with farm development work in South Otago, and, while still- a young man he came to the North Island where he spent 12 years mainly in bush survey work. Subsequently, for 28 years he was in the service of th*. Waitemata and Whangarei. bounty Councils on roads, • bridges and practical engineering works. As a competitor and official he has had a lifetime’s experience in athletics. Mr Draper was president of the Maungatapere Athletic Club for 10 years, is a life member and past president of the Northern Athletic Union (84

clubs) and has promoted running, cycling, boxing, wrestling, hockey cricket and football.

Retiring, Mr Draper came to Whangarei 4g years ago. He has been a member of the borough council for four years, and the Whangarei Hospital Board for three years. He is chairman of the Borough Abattoir Committee, and a member of the Legal and Finance, Works, Parks, Electricity and Town-Planning Committees. He is also chairman of the Winter Fuel Committee. Mr Draper in addition is chairman of the Whangarei Milk-in-Schools Committee and the Hora Hora School Committee. He is a Justice of the Peace, District Coroner, and honorary Conciliator under the Domestic Proceedings Act, 1939. He is deputy-chief warden of the E.P.S Prior to the Home Guard being taken over by the Army, Mr Draper was chairman of the District Committee.

MR. WILLIAM JONES.—A number of a pioneering Southland family, Mr. Jones was goldmining and -sawmilling for some years before taking up a butchery business, first in Southland and then in Manawatu. He acquired a farm at Maungatapere in 1912. He has resided in the borough since 1921. Mayor since 1929, Mi'. Jones has been chairman of the Whangarei Interzone Patriotic Committee from its inception. A member of the Whangarei County Council for 10 years, he was its chairman for 71 years, and also a member of the Whangarei High School Board of Governors for a like term. For 25 years he has been a member of the Whangarei Hospital Board, and was a foundation member

of the Main Highways District Council for four years. A foundation member of No. 1 Transport Authority, Mr. Jones was its chairman for five years. He represented Marsden in Parliamen! from 1925 to 1928, and was a member of the Whangarei Harbour Board foxsix years. He is chairman of the Northland Crippled Children’s Society, also children’s health camp organisation. He has been deputy-chairman of the No. 3 Armed Forces Appeal Board for four years, and was chairman Northland Centennial Committee (later to become the Patriotic Committee). In addition, Mr. Jones occupies the chairmanship of No. 1 Zone Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council and is representative to the National Patriotic Fund Board from the Auckland province, representing Northland. He has been chairman of the Airport Board from its foundation, and Chief Warden of the E.P.S.