- Arthur Bignell
Arthur Bignell (1861-1945) was
Mayor ofWanganui from 1904 - 1906, and a notablebuilder inOamaru , the West Coast,Wanganui and the Rangitikei district.Biography
Family & Emigration
Arthur Gorbell Bignell was born to George Bignell and Emily Eliza Bignell (nee Foy) in
Ilford ,London , in 1861. [Wanganui Museum Records: Arthur Bignell] [Chesswas Family Tree: John Chesswas & Emily Bignell; 2003] He was educated atRichmond, Surrey , and emigrated toNew Zealand with his brother Fred in 1876, at 15 years of age. [Cyclopedia of NZ: Russell & Bignell; 1897]Building
Bignell trained as a
carpenter inDunedin and took up work in the area. [Cyclopedia of NZ: Russell & Bignell; 1897] He made a return trip toEngland in 1884 to assist the emigration of his parents and siblings to New Zealand, and upon returning won the contract to construct theOamaru Railway Station. [Chesswas Family Tree: John Chesswas & Emily Bignell, 2003]In 1888 Bignell and his firm moved to
Greymouth on the West Coast, where he was contracted for the building of stations andbridge -work on the Midland Railway. The same year he married Florence Simpson, with whom he became father of five children: Arthur, Florence, Cecil, Winifred and Mostyn. [Wanganui Museum Records: Arthur Bignell] In 1891 he entered into partnership with Robert Russell, and in 1892Russell and Bignell Ltd. moved toWanganui where they won the contract for the construction of WanganuiHospital . "Russell and Bignell Ltd." went on to include within their firm the business and contracts of notable local builder Mr.James Tawse upon his retirement. [Cyclopedia of NZ: [http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/cyclopedia/aitken1.html James Aitken] ; 1897]Wanganui Mayoralty
Bignell was elected Mayor of Wanganui in 1904, a position he held for two years until 1906. [Shadows of Time: [http://shadowsoftime.kiwiwebhost.biz/mayors.html#Wanganui Early Mayors of New Zealand: Wanganui] ] A street was named after him along the western bank of
Wanganui River , just south of the town centre.According to Wanganui’s ‘Familiar Faces 1907’;
:"“The Mayoralty of A.G.B. was characterized by uniform courtesy to the crew of Councillors over whom he presided, a clear grasp of all questions affecting the welfare of the people, and an ambition to act on the square with all and sundry. His good works are many, his friends numerous, and his enemies very scarce.”" [ ‘Familiar Faces 1907'; 1907; Wanganui]
Other Affairs
As well as working as builder and Mayor, Bignell was involved in various other roles in the fledgling city of Wanganui. He served as
Chairman of theHarbour Board, Chairman ofWanganui Collegiate School and Chairman ofGonville Town Board. [Wanganui Museum Records: Arthur Bignell] He was a member of thePatriotic Association, St. Andrew Kilwinning Lodge and WanganuiJockey club, a founding member of the localRotary club , [Rotary Club of Wanganui: [http://www.wanganuirotary.org.nz/hstrybody.html Club History] ] and also a member of a localbowling club. [Cyclopedia of NZ: Russell & Bignell; 1897]Arthur Bignell died in Wanganui in 1945, aged 84.
Russell & Bignell Buildings
Notable "Russell and Bignell" buildings include:
* Oamaru Railway Station
* Original Wanganui Hospital (since demolished)
* Flock House Homestead and McKelvie Flagpole [New Zealand Historic Places Trust: Register of Historic Places: [http://www.historic.org.nz/Register/ListingDetail.asp?RID=7576&sm= Flock House Homestead and McKelvie Flagpole] ]
* Pukemarama Homestead [ New Zealand Historic Places Trust: Register of Historic Places: [http://www.historic.org.nz/Register/ListingDetail.asp?RID=1191&sm= Pukemarama Homestead] ]
* The Grand Hotel, Wanganui [The Grand Hotel, Wanganui: [http://www.thegrandhotel.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=33 Map and History] ]References
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