Garnet Hercules Mackley

Garnet Hercules Mackley (December 9, 1883 – April 24, 1986) was a New Zealand businessman, railways manager and politician.

He became general manager of New Zealand Railways in 1933. During his tenure, Mackley worked hard to improve the standard and range of services provided by the railways. He won approval for the construction of an inspection car known as the "Red Terror" in which he travelled the entire system inspecting stations and meeting staff. The car’s success encouraged him to order the construction of railcars that were to serve the railways for many years, specifically the Wairarapa, Standard, and Vulcan classes.

He also wanted to improve the comfort of passengers, and initiated a local building program which provided the basis of passenger carriage stock for many years.

In 1940 he retired, and was made managing director of the Whakatane Paper Mills.

Mackley then entered politics, becoming a Member of Parliament for the New Zealand National Party. He was elected as the MP for Masterton (1943 - 1946) and then for Wairarapa (1946 – 1949), after which he retired.

In 1950 he was appointed to the Legislative Council by National, as a member of the suicide squad charged with voting for the abolition of the Council (or Upper House).

External links

* [http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov11_01Rail-t1-body-d57.html Photos of Mackley and the "Red Terror" ]

References

*"New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984" by J. O. Wilson (1985, Government Printer, Wellington)
*"The First 50 Years: A History of the New Zealand National Party" by Barry Gustafson (1986, Reed Methuen, Auckland) ISBN 0474001776