Edgar Neale

Edgar Neale OBE
Edgar Neale in 1950
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Nelson
In office 1946 – 1957
Preceded by	Harry Atmore
Succeeded by	Stanley Whitehead
18th Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand
In office 1941–1947
Preceded by	George Page
Succeeded by	Joseph Auty Harley
Personal details
Born	24 November 1889 Nelson, New Zealand
Died	25 July 1960(1960-07-25) (aged 70) Nelson, New Zealand
Profession	Accountant
Cricket information
Batting style	Right-handed
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1920/21	Minor Associations
1921/22	South Island
First-class debut	8 March 1921 Minor Associations v Australia
Last First-class	10 March 1922 South Island v North Island
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 2 Runs scored 74 Batting average 24.66 100s/50s 0/0 Top score 37* Balls bowled 8 Wickets 1 Bowling average 6.00 5 wickets in innings 0 10 wickets in match 0 Best bowling 1-6 Catches/stumpings 0/0
Source: CricketArchive, 27 March 2016

Edgar Rollo (Gar) Neale OBE JP FPANZ FCIS (24 November 1889 – 25 July 1960) was Mayor and Member of Parliament for Nelson, a strong supporter of the Nelson railway, and a representative cricketer.

Gar Neale's great grandfather and family migrated to New Zealand from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England in the 1840s, settling in Auckland. In the 1850s Gar Neale's grandfather, John William Neale, moved to Nelson. Gar Neale's father, Henry Neale, was born in Nelson and worked as a carpenter. Henry married Kate Bethwaite. Henry and Kate had two children; Gar (born in 1889 in Nelson) and Gladys (born in 1893).

Neale was educated at Nelson Central School and Nelson College (1903–1905), where he took a general academic course. He became a part-time Master at the College (1920–1932), teaching Commercial Practice. He was Secretary of the Nelson College Old Boys Association (1921–1935), and its President (1938–1947). He also served on the Colleges Board of Governors.

During his stay in Blenheim (1915–1919), Neale completed his accountancy diplomas.

Neale was first employed as a law clerk with Maginnity and Son (later Maginnity, Samuel and Hunter). About 1911 he transferred to Adams and Harley as an accounts clerk. From 1915 to 1919 he was employed by Griffiths Brothers Limited in Blenheim.

Returning to Nelson from Blenheim in 1920, he went into partnership with J E Milner as a public accountant, auditor, and secretary. The firm later became E R Neale and Son, when his son joined him.