James Gapes

James Gapes JP
James Gapes in ca 1882
9th Mayor of Christchurch
In office 2 January 1877 – 19 December 1877
Preceded by	Fred Hobbs
Succeeded by	Henry Thomson
In office 15 December 1880 – 21 December 1881
Preceded by	Charles Thomas Ick
Succeeded by	George Ruddenklau
Personal details
Born	1822 Saffron Walden
Died	22 October 1899 Christchurch
Resting place	Linwood Cemetery 43°32′19″S 172°41′11″E / 43.5385°S 172.6863°E / -43.5385; 172.6863 (Linwood cemetery)
Spouse(s)	daughter of Mr. Le Lean (m. 1843)
Relations	Thomas Gapes (son)

James Gapes JP (1822 – 22 October 1899) was a local politician in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was Mayor of Christchurch on two occasions, and the father of a later mayor, Thomas Gapes. He was the first mayor who was elected by the voting public; previously city councillors chose one from their rank as mayor.

Gapes was born in Saffron Walden in Essex, England in 1822. He went to school there and continued his training in London. He held employment with the same firm in London for 22 years. He married Jane Le Lean in 1843 (b. 1823 or 1824), and they had four daughters and six sons.

Gapes and his wife Jane came out with their children and other relatives - Hannah (21 years), Charlotte (16 years), Thomas (11 years), Mary (7 years), Angelina (5 years) and Emily (8 months), plus his cousin Lizzie Westwood (b. 1826 in Hertfordshire) emigrated to the colony, leaving Gravesend on 29 August 1859 and arriving in Lyttelton on 4 December 1859 on board the Regina.

Gapes started a glass, paint and paperhanging business in 71 Victoria Street. In 1889, he passed the company to his son Thomas.

He was a member of many organisations and bodies, often in a leading role, including the Christchurch Hospital Board, Canterbury Lodge Freemason, the Order of Foresters, and Court Star of Canterbury.

As a flautist, he gave many concerts with Sir John Cracroft Wilson.

Before 1916, elections for Christchurch City Council were held annually. Gapes was elected onto the city council six times: first in February 1873 in a by-election, then in 1874, 1877, 1878, 1879 and 1881.

The mayor was for the first time elected by voters on 20 December 1876; until the previous year, the mayor was chosen from amongst the city councillors, and they usually elected the most senior councillor.

The 20 December 1876 mayoral election was contested by Gapes and Charles Thomas Ick, with Gapes representing working class interests, whereas Ick represented the wealthier part of the population. Gapes and Ick received 680 and 515 votes, respectively, and Gapes was thus declared elected. Gapes was sworn in as mayor at the next Christchurch City Council meeting on 2 January 1877.