Arthur Bignell

Arthur Gorbell Bignell (1861 – 18 June 1944) was Mayor of Wanganui from 1904 to 1906, and a builder in Oamaru, the West Coast, Wanganui and the Rangitikei district.

Bignell' was born to George Bignell and Emily Eliza Bignell (née Foy) in Ilford, London, in 1861. He was educated at Richmond, Surrey, and emigrated to New Zealand with his brother Fred in 1876, at 15 years of age.

Bignell trained as a carpenter in Dunedin and was employed by his uncle Henry in Oamaru where they worked on the original Oamaru Railway Station. He and Fred made a return trip to England in 1884 to assist the emigration of his parents and siblings to New Zealand. Upon returning the Bignell firm won the contract to construct bridges and buildings on the Midland Line.

In late 1887 the Bignells moved to Greymouth on the West Coast. In 1888 he married Florence Simpson, with whom he became father of five children: Arthur, Florence, Cecil, Winifred and Mostyn. In 1891 he entered into partnership with Robert Russell, and in 1892 Russell and Bignell Ltd. moved to Wanganui where they won the contract for the construction of Wanganui Hospital. Russell and Bignell Ltd. went on to include within their firm the business and contracts of notable local builder James Tawse upon his retirement. In 1930, he built the morgue of the Heads Road Cemetery.

Bignell was elected Mayor of Wanganui in 1904, a position he held for two years until 1906. A street was named after him along the western bank of Wanganui River, just south of the town centre.

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