Former mayor’s descendants gift century-old artefact

Dunedin (Monday, 8 October 2018) – A slice of Dunedin’s history was returned to the city today.

Three grandchildren of John Wilson, Mayor of Dunedin in 1912-13, visited the Dunedin City Council to return a silver trowel, which was presented to their grandfather over a century ago to mark the beginning of construction of the former public baths on Moray Place.

Mr Wilson’s granddaughters, Susan Bremner and her sister Judy Church, were born in Dunedin, but moved to Australia as children in 1956. They maintain close links to the city, including with their cousin Russell Thew, who lives in St Leonards and also attended today’s trowel handover.

Mrs Bremner says the trowel has been in her family for many years, but they (including another sister, Margaret Bolton, in Perth) now felt it was the right thing to gift it back to the city.

“The trowel was presented to our grandfather on 26 April 1913 to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the public baths, which were located on lower Moray Place,” she says. “My siblings and I learned to swim at the baths and we all have wonderful memories of them.”

“We also have fond memories of our grandfather as a kind and generous man. Despite the demands of his public life and business interests, John always found time for his family including his six daughters,” Mrs Bremner says.

John Wilson lived from 1867 to 1953 and had a distinguished career in local politics. He was elected to the Caversham Borough Council in 1896, becoming Mayor in 1902. When the Borough amalgamated with the City of Dunedin, Mr Wilson became a member of the Dunedin City Council and served continuously from 1904-33, including as Mayor in 1912-13. He was later re-elected to the City Council from 1938-44.

In business, Mr Wilson traded as ‘Scott and Wilson’ in St Andrew Street, making venetian blinds and roller shutters.

“He became affectionately known as ‘the blind man’ and I recall covering my school books with off-cuts from his holland blinds,” Mrs Bremner says.

Mr Wilson was awarded the O.B.E. in 1948 for his 44 years of public service to the city.

As a member of the Ocean Beach Domain Board, Mr Wilson envisaged a scenic drive from St Clair to Lawyers Head and the sand hills laid out as playing fields. The John Wilson Memorial Drive was completed after he died and a plaque was unveiled by his grandson, Russell Thew, on 6 November 1958.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “I’m very grateful to Mr Wilson’s grandchildren for returning this special piece of history to the city. I was also delighted to learn more about the man behind the name which is so recognisable in Dunedin – John Wilson certainly led an exemplary life in all aspects and made a significant and enduring contribution to the city.”

Mr Cull says the silver trowel and its story will be displayed in the DCC’s plaza reception area.

© Scoop Media