John Fletcher (New Zealand politician)

John Shearer Fletcher (22 December 1888 – 15 February 1934) was a New Zealand member of the House of Representatives for Grey Lynn in Auckland. Born in Scotland, he came to New Zealand in 1916 to join his brothers in their construction business, out of which grew Fletcher Construction.

John Fletcher
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Grey Lynn
In office
14 November 1928 – 12 November 1931
Preceded byFred Bartram
Succeeded byJohn A. Lee
Personal details
Born22 December 1888[1]
Kirkintilloch, Scotland
Died15 February 1934(1934-02-15) (aged 45)
Auckland, New Zealand
Resting placeHillsborough Cemetery, Auckland
RelationsJames Fletcher (brother)
James Muir Cameron Fletcher (nephew)

Early life

Fletcher was born at Kirkintilloch, Scotland,[2] the son of a builder, John Shearer Fletcher, and his wife, Janet Montgomery.[3] He received his entire education through scholarships.[4] He was one of thirteen children.[5]

By age 24, Fletcher was headmaster under the Kirkintilloch school board for technical and commercial classes. He then moved to Glasgow[6] and became secretary for the Scottish Class Teachers' Association, and was on the executive of the Scottish Education Institute.[2][4] He was vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).[2] He undertook studies in construction in the United States and in Canada.[6]

Professional career in New Zealand

In 1916, Fletcher migrated to Dunedin, New Zealand, to join his brothers in their construction business.[2] The company had been founded in 1909 after his brother James[7] had come to Dunedin in the previous year.[3] His brother James started to concentrate on business in Auckland and Wellington, and John Shearer Fletcher took over the Dunedin branch.[2][3] Fletcher was an executive member of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association.[8] Of poor health, he retired from business during the 1920s and moved to Auckland.[6]

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1928–1930 23rd Grey Lynn United
1930–1931 Changed allegiance to: Independent

Fletcher represented the Grey Lynn electorate in the House of Representatives from 1928 to 1931.[9] In the 1928 election, Fletcher defeated Fred Bartram for Grey Lynn.[10][11] After having threatened his government in September 1929 to cross the house over unemployment and economic issues,[12] Fletcher became an Independent during 1930.[13][14] In the 1931 election, he was defeated by John A. Lee of the Labour Party.[11][15][16]

Private life and death

Fletcher married Alice Emily Murphy in 1919.[17] In Auckland, Fletcher participated in public life,[6] and he was active with the YMCA, other social movements,[2] and belonged to the Rotary Club.[18] He was interested in politics and economics, and involved in association football, cricket, and lawn bowls.[8] He died on 15 February 1934 and is buried at Hillsborough Cemetery in Auckland. His wife died on 28 June 1976.[1]

Notes
  1. "Cemetery Records". Auckland Council. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. Scholefield 1940, p. 267.
  3. Parker, Selwyn James. "Fletcher, James". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  4. "Obituary". The Evening Post. Vol. CXVII, no. 39. 15 February 1934. p. 12. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  5. "University of Auckland Business History Project - Fletcher Challenge". University of Auckland. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  6. "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXI, no. 21727. 16 February 1934. p. 14. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  7. Hunt 2000, p. 174.
  8. "Mr J Fletcher Dead". Auckland Star. Vol. LXV, no. 39. 15 February 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  9. Wilson 1985, p. 197.
  10. Wilson 1985, pp. 182, 197.
  11. Habershon 1958, Appendix p.vi.
  12. "Indignant Supporter". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXVI, no. 20358. 12 September 1929. p. 13. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. "State of Parties". Auckland Star. Vol. LXII, no. 5. 7 January 1931. p. 3. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  14. Habershon 1958, pp. 30, 33 & 45.
  15. Wood 1996, p. 90.
  16. Bassett 1982, pp. 39, 62.
  17. "Marriage Search". Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 1 November 2014. Search for registration number 1919/2175
  18. "Auckland Rotary Club". Auckland Star. Vol. LXV, no. 42. 19 February 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 31 October 2014.

References
  • Bassett, Michael (1982). Three Party Politics in New Zealand 1911–1931. Auckland: Historical Publications.
  • Habershon, Richard G. (1958). A Study in Politics: 1928-1931 (Thesis). Auckland: University of Auckland.
  • Hunt, Graeme (2000). The Rich List: Wealth and Enterprise in New Zealand 1820-2000. Auckland: Reed Books.
  • Scholefield, Guy, ed. (1940). A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : A–L (PDF). Vol. I. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
  • Wood, G. Anthony, ed. (1996). Ministers and Members: In the New Zealand Parliament. Dunedin: Otago University Press.
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