OBITUARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8562, 22 September 1906, Page 5

OBITUARY.

Mr Joe Dransfield

Mr Joe Dransfield, who was for many years one of the leading citizens of Wei lingt in, died yesterday, aged 79 years. The deceased came to Wellington in the early days from Australia, and carried on business until ill-health compelled his retirement into private life. In 1870, when the affairs of the Wellington district ceased to be administei ed by a Town Board, he was elected Mayor of Wellington, and held office for four consecutive ttrms, being succeeded, in 1874 by the late Mr C. 13. Bjorlase. Mr Dransfielcl again stood for the Mayoralty in 1878, and was returned. He was re-elected in 1879, but only occupied the position until May 9th of that year, when he resigned.

Mr Dransfield was also a prominent member of the old Provincial Council, and at one time held a seat on the Provincial Executive, lie was instrumental in securing the first important reclamation work in Wellington. He had been an invalid for a number of years. Mrs Dranslield predeceased him by several years. He was a potent factor in the municipal politics of what is now the Empire City a quarter of a century ago.