Preceded by Robert Macfarlane Name Ernest Andrews Nationality New Zealand | Resting place Bromley Cemetery Succeeded by Robert Macfarlane | |
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Born 25 June 1873
Brightwater, New Zealand ( 1873-06-25 ) Died 9 November 1961(1961-11-09) (aged 88)
Christchurch, New Zealand Spouse(s) Caroline Maria Couzins (1872 – 27 December 1937)
Florence May Emmett | ||
Ernest andrews 9 2010
Sir Ernest Herbert Andrews (25 June 1873 – 9 November 1961) was Mayor of Christchurch from 1941 until his retirement in 1950. He had served continuously on Christchurch City Council since 1919.
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Early life and family
Andrews was born in Brightwater near Nelson in 1873. He married Caroline Maria Couzins (born 5 August 1872) on 14 March 1900. They had three children: Alpha Herbert (born 1901), Pelham Winter (born 1904) and Gwendoline Cynthia (born 1909).
Eveleyn Charlotte Couzins (1896–1945) was his first wife's niece.
Political career
Andrews was elected as councillor onto Christchurch City Council in 1919. In 1941, he was elected as mayor, a position that he held for three terms until his retirement in 1950. He provided continuous service to Christchurch City Council for 31 years.
Andrews' first wife died in 1937, before he became mayor, and so his niece, Eveleyn Couzins, acted as the mayoress from 1941 until her death in 1945. Couzins made a valued contribution to the community, especially through the organisation of parcels for dispatch to New Zealand servicemen abroad. Although she had suffered from some minor illnesses, she continued to carry out her duties as mayoress until she became seriously ill, two weeks before her death in June 1945. She is buried in B24P188 in Linwood Cemetery. Andrews' daughter Gwendoline then took over the role of mayoress.
Andrews was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for social welfare and patriotic services in the 1946 New Year Honours, and a Knight Bachelor in the 1950 Birthday Honours, the first Christchurch serving mayor to be so honoured. He retired in October 1950, having had been mayor for longer than any other incumbent up to that time.
Later life
Andrews died in Christchurch on 9 November 1961. The funeral service took place at the Rugby Street Methodist church, with which Andrews had been long associated. He is buried at Bromley Cemetery, with his first wife. The simple Andrews grave states that Caroline Andrews lived from 1872–1937 and Ernest Andrews from 1873–1961.
He was survived by his second wife, Florence May Emmett.
Honorific eponym
Andrews Crescent in the suburb of Spreydon is named in his honour.