George ARMSTRONG [33545]

  General Notes:

George was on the Akaroa Borough Council for 50yrs, 30 yrs as Mayor.

Death of Mr. Geo. Armstrong.
MAYOR OF AKAROA.
The death of Mr George Armstrong in Christchurch on Sunday morning, after an operation at Lewisham Hospital came as a shock to Akaroa and Banks Peninsula people as Mr Armstrong has been a most prominent figure in the public life of the District for many years. He has held many public positions, being Mayor of Akaroa for nearly thirty years, represented the Borough on the Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board he was representative for the Combined Peninsula Counties on the North Canterbury Hospital Board for a long term, was chairman and member of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board and chairman of the Akaroa High School Board. He was also interested in dairying and was one of those interested in re-building the Takamatua Cheese Factory after it was burned down. He had also a wide connection with sports bodies in Akaroa Borough. He has been Commodore of Akaroa Regatta for many years, President of the Akaroa Bowling Club and has held that position for most branches of sports in the town. Akaroa will his familiar figure, where he has spent his life in furthering the interests of his town and district, and the services he rendered l will remain for many years to come. As a mark of respect the flags in the town, were yesterday flown at half-mast and at the schools a period of silence was observed in his memory. The funeral will take place to day ,at 2.30 p.m. at the Church of England Cemetery, Akaroa.

Obituary
He represented Akaroa in the old Provincial days and afterwards in, the House of Representatives. In municipal affairs Mr George Armstrong established a record as far as New Zealand was concerned. He was elected to the Borough Council on, September 3, 1879, and earned the title of "The Father of Akaroa," I having served the council for fifty three years without a break. His work on the council has been responsible for making Akaroa one of the most up-to-date towns in New Zealand. Among important works carried out at the instigation of Mr Armstrong are the new Post Office and school, the modern cottage hospital on the outskirts of the borough, the building of the baths, the provision of an, up-to-date fire engine, the making of lawn tennis courts on the recreation ground, and the extension and improvement of the town water supply. At the time of his death Mr Armstrong was a member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, representinig Akaroa, and it was during his long term as a member that he agitated for the building of the Akaroa Cottage Hospital which is recognised as one of the finest country hospitals in the Dominion. He was at one time, a member of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board. He had been, a member of the Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board since its inception eight or ten year's ago. He had been chairman of the Akaroa High School Board for at least twenty years. The fine, war memorial which stands in Akaroa to day represents the culmination, of one Mr Armstrong's greatest wishes. During the war he was an ardent patriotic worker and in later years, was instrumental in raising nearly £5000 for erecting the memorial. As Mayor of the town, he, did all he could to arouse public interest and when the memorial was erected in 1920, it was due directly to his efforts.
Mr Armstrong was born on June 3, 1853, and, save for a short visit to America with his parents and brother Joseph, in 1856, and a visit to Australia about 25 years ago, spent all his life at Akaroa. He was the eldest son of Captain George Armstrong, who first visited the Peninsula in a trading brig and later accquired land there, settling with his family. Upon his father's death Mr Armstrong took over the property. Captain Armstrong came to New Zealand in the ship Phoenix in 1846, receiving his discharge, at Hawke's Bay. Later he was in charge of the Edward Stanley, owned by Mr Johnstone of Wellington, a, vessel trading up the coast and carrying stores to the troops at Wanganui. It was during this visit to Wanganui that Mr Armstrong was courtmarshalled for rescuing a settler named. M'Gregor. Wanganui was under marshal law. When Captain Armstrong saw McGregor, who had crossed the river against orders and was chased by the Maori, jumped down the cliffs to escape from them, he and one of his crew, without waiting for orders went to McGregor's rescue. The result of this adventure was that Captain Armstrong was court marshalled It was a matter of form only and he was quickly released. He married Miss Cummerfield, of Foxton, soon after this adventure and came to Akaroa, where he started in business next to the Bruce Hotel. After a few years he took his wife and two, eldest children to America and England. On his return, he called at Sydney, where he bought the vessel Mary Louisa and traded her from Wellington to Akaroa for some years. He engaged in business again later in partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr Daly. He first bought 200 acres of land at Takamatua, or German Bay, as it was then called. Later he bought 1150 acres where the Mount Vernon Holmstead now stands. He enlarged his holding as time went on, buying the bulk of the property from the Government at £2 acre. He bought the large Stony Bay property from Mr Ambrose Rhodes
Two of Mr Armstrong's sons gave their lives in the war. A strong attachment to sports of all kinds characterised Mr. Armstrong and it is not surprising that he was connected officially with nearly every sports club on the Peninsula. He was president for some years of the Akaroa Boating Club, president of the Akaroa Bowling Club for many years, president of the Domain Lawn Tennis Club and president of the Golf Club and of the Athletic Club. Mr Armstrong was a Justice of the Peace. He was among the first directors of the Takamatua Dairy Company, but relinquished the office of chairman, some years ago. In spite of his age, Mr Armstrong hardily ever missed a meeting of the Hospital Board or, for that matter any of the institutions with which he was connected. His life was devoted to the advancement of Akaroa, and his death will leave a vacancy which will be difficult to fill. In 1879 Mr Armstrong married Miss Mary Gray, a daughter of Captain Gray, one of Nelson's early settlers, who was a woman with a charming personality. Mrs Armstrong predeceased her husband several years ago. There are four sons surviving, Messrs G. 0 T. Armstrong (Opawa), F. G. Armstrong (Akaroa), J. K Armstrong (Akaroa,), and H N Armstrong (Timaru). There are three surviving daughters, Mrs Black (Auckland), Mrs Wethey (Christchurch) and Mrs Shuttleworth (Akaroa). Mr H. N. Armstrong made a great effort, to recapture the Timaru seat, for Reform, at the 1931 general election.
TRIBUTES FROM THE CHURCHS.
Before commencing his sermon the Rev. H. Nelson Wright at, St Peter's Church, Akaroa. expressed on behalf of the congregation the general sorrow at the news of Mr Armstrong's death. He said that his had been a life of service,. He had never spared himself in any way attending every meeting and his example was one that should be a lesson to them all. They all felt, the deepest sympathy with his relatives. Mr Armstrong had taken part in so many activities that it would be a long time before, they realised the full loss the district had sustained through his death.
At the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Rev. J C McCaw referred to Mr G. Armstrong's death and the congregation stood for a minute in silent sympathy with his relatives. The hymn "For all the Saints" was then sung by the congregation.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
In order to prevent any blockage with cars along the narrow road leading to the Church of England Cemetery the following arrangements have been made. The hearse will arrive from Christchurch at the Borough boundary at 2.20 pm. Cars will be marshalled on the Main Road outside the Borough, and the cortege will then proceed to the Church of England Cemetery.
A stoppage will be made at the Bruce Hotel creek to allow followers to leave their cars and join the procession on foot.
No cars will be allowed over the Bruce Bridge.
SHOPS CLOSED.
All the places of business in Akaroa are requested to close from noon, to 3.30 p.m.
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY.
At a special meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council held last night, the following motion was carried in silence all standing. "That this special meeting af the Akaroa Borough Council, representing the citizens of the Borough of Akaroa, expresses its profound sorrow at the unexpected death of His Worship the Mayor, and desires to, place on record it's appreciation, of the great and renowned services he has rendered to the Borough during his long and distinguished career. That this meeting desires to convey it's heartfelt sympathy with the family and relatives in the bereavemenb which has so suddenly fallen upon them, and tenders to them its most sincere expression of condolence in their great, grief and irreparable loss."
Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LVI, Issue 5733, 8 November 1932

Obituary
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1932. LATE MR. GEORGE ARMSTRONG.

Images courtesy of Sandra Gray Family Tree - Ancestry 2020

  Other Records

1. Blycliffe House: Home of George Armstrong.
Blythcliffe, one of Akaroa's earliest large houses, was built in 1857 on a five-acre block for Augustus White, a prominent early Canterbury businessman who represented Akaroa on the Provincial Council. It was probably both designed and built by S.C. Farr. Farr lived in Akaroa from 1850 until 1862, working as a builder and architect. He went on to a distinguished career in Christchurch as an architect. White had moved out by 1864.

After a succession or owners, the house became, in 1904, the home of George Armstrong , the son of a settler of the 1840s. Armstrong, a leading merchant of Akaroa, was prominent in Banks Peninsula life. Blythcliffe was owned by Armstrong descendants until 2004.

The house has a Georgian or Regency look which is unusual in Canterbury. The originally flat roof was replaced by a hipped roof in the 1870s. The verandah is supported by graceful columns rather than simple posts. Still set in extensive grounds, Blythcliffe has been a bed and breakfast in recent years.

George married Mary Jane GRAY [33546] [MRIN: 11992], daughter of Robert GRAY [33693] and Ann [33694]. (Mary Jane GRAY [33546] was born in 1857 in Nelson N.Z. and died on 20 Feb 1939 in Akaroa NZ.)