Sir Ernest Andrews CBE |
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38th Mayor of Christchurch | |
In office 1941–1950 |
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Preceded by | Robert Macfarlane |
Succeeded by | Robert Macfarlane |
Personal details | |
Born |
Brightwater, New Zealand |
25 June 1873
Died | 9 November 1961 Christchurch, New Zealand |
(aged 88)
Resting place | Bromley Cemetery |
Nationality | New Zealand |
Spouse(s) | Caroline Maria Couzins (1872 – 27 December 1937) Florence May Emmett |
Relations | Eveleyn Charlotte Couzins (1896–1945) (first wife's niece) |
Children | Alpha Herbert (b 1901) Pelham Winter (b 1904) Gwendoline Cynthia (b 1909) |
Sir Ernest Herbert Andrews CBE (25 June 1873 – 9 November 1961) was Mayor of Christchurch from 1941 until his retirement in 1950. He had served continuously on Christchurch City Council since 1919.
Andrews was born in Brightwater near Nelson in 1873. He married Caroline Maria Couzins (born 5 August 1872) on 14 March 1900. They had three children: Alpha Herbert (born 1901), Pelham Winter (born 1904) and Gwendoline Cynthia (born 1909).
Eveleyn Charlotte Couzins (1896–1945) was his first wife's niece.
Andrews was elected as councillor onto Christchurch City Council in 1919. In 1941, he was elected as mayor, a position that he held for three terms until his retirement in 1950. He provided continuous service to Christchurch City Council for 31 years.
Andrews' first wife died in 1937, before he became mayor, and so his niece, Eveleyn Couzins, acted as the mayoress from 1941 until her death in 1945. Couzins made a valued contribution to the community, especially through the organisation of parcels for dispatch to New Zealand servicemen abroad. Although she had suffered from some minor illnesses, she continued to carry out her duties as mayoress until she became seriously ill, two weeks before her death in June 1945. She is buried in B24P188 in Linwood Cemetery. Andrews' daughter Gwendoline then took over the role of mayoress.
Andrews was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for social welfare and patriotic services in 1946, and a Knight Bachelor in the 1950 Birthday Honours, the first Christchurch serving mayor to be so honoured. He retired in October 1950, having had been mayor for longer than any other incumbent up to that time.
Andrews died in Christchurch on 9 November 1961. The funeral service took place at the Rugby Street Methodist church, with which Andrews had been long associated. He is buried at Bromley Cemetery, with his first wife. The simple Andrews grave states that Caroline Andrews lived from 1872–1937 and Ernest Andrews from 1873–1961.