John Finlayson (politician)

John Finlayson
Member of the New Zealand Legislative Council
In office
22 June 1950 – 31 December 1950
Personal details
BornJohn Alexander Finlayson
1890
Maungaturoto, New Zealand
Died16 January 1960(1960-01-16) (aged 69–70)
Whangārei, New Zealand
PartyNational Party
RelationsInnes Finlayson (brother)

John Alexander Finlayson (1890 – 16 January 1960) of Whangārei was appointed a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council on 22 June 1950.[1] He was known to his family as Jack.[2]

Early life

Finlayson was born in 1890[1] at Maungaturoto, New Zealand.[3] His father was Norman Finlayson (died 1938), prominent for decades as either president or patron of the Otamatea Rugby Union. Finlayson's grandparents had immigrated to New Zealand from Nova Scotia;[4] his grandfather was also called John Finlayson. Innes Finlayson was an older brother.[2]

Interests

With an interest in education, Finlayson chaired the school committee in Mangapai in Whangarei District for seven years. He was on the board of the North Auckland Power Board for many years.[5]

In his youth, Finlayson had been the best forward of the Maungaturoto club in 1910.[3] For seven years, he held the presidency of the North Auckland Rugby Union.[5] In May 1949, he was elected as one of the vice-presidents of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).[6] In April 1950, he succeeded Don Max as chairman of the NZRU.[7] He was succeeded as president by Stanley Botting in May 1951.[8]

Politics

Finlayson chaired the National Party in the Marsden electorate.[3] He was appointed as a member of the suicide squad nominated by the First National Government in 1950 to vote for the abolition of the Council. Most of the new members (like Finlayson) were appointed on 22 June 1950, and served until 31 December 1950 when the Council was abolished.[1] At the time of his appointment, he lived at Mangapai.[3]

Death

Finlayson died on 16 January 1960 in Whangārei.[9] At the time, he was living in Langs Beach near Waipu.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wilson, J.O. (1985) [1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Government Printer. p. 153.
  2. ^ a b "Otamatea leader passes". The Northern Advocate. 11 June 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Scholefield, Guy (1951). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1951 (5th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 77.
  4. ^ "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXV, no. 23062. 13 June 1938. p. 12. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Obituary". The Press. Vol. XCIX, no. 29107. 20 January 1960. p. 17. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  6. ^ "New Officers Of The New Zealand Union". Greymouth Evening Star. 5 May 1949. p. 5. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Several Changes to be Made in Officers of New Zealand Rugby Union". Central Hawke's Bay Press. Vol. 46, no. 73. 13 April 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Rugby Union officials". Marlborough Express. Vol. 86, no. 93. 20 April 1951. p. 4. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  9. ^ Petersen, George Conrad (1961). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1961 (7th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 305.