James Arthur Flesher, 1865–1930

The photograph shows James Flesher in mayoral regalia, although it is not clear whether the photo was taken when he was mayor of New Brighton (1915–17) or Christchurch (1923–25). James Flesher lived in Richmond; the Flesher family owned Avebury House and land between the house and the river.

Biographical data based on information on the Christchurch City Libraries website:
James Arthur Flesher was born in Christchurch on 13 August, 1865, the son of William and Dorothy Flesher, who owned Avebury House. James was educated at Christ’s College and became a lawyer; he was admitted as a solicitor in 1898, and when he started his own legal firm the following year, he was admitted as a barrister.

In 1893 he was elected to the Christchurch City Council, representing the Richmond Ward. In 1900 he married Margaret Lucy England. They had two children. From 1915 to 1917 he was Mayor of New Brighton Borough. He was appointed borough solicitor in 1918, a position he held until his death.
In 1918 he was again elected to the Christchurch City Council and he became Chairman of the By-laws & Finance Committee. He remained a councillor till 1920, and in 1923 he was elected Mayor of Christchurch, a position he held for two years. In 1928 he was again elected to council and remained a councillor until his death in 1930. He was also elected to the Christchurch Tramway Board in 1906, was Chairman from 1913–1916, and was still a member of the board at the time of his death.

James was also a member of many other local boards and organisations. His obituary stated: “It was not the length of his public service, long as that was, or the number of positions he occupied, many as they were, that gave him his conspicuous place among the public men of the city, but the force and capacity that he constantly exhibited. He had the command of fact and the clear view of his object which keeps discussion to the direct and useful line.”
James died in 1930 aged 65 years and was buried in the Avonside Anglican Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Margaret, son, Herbert, and daughter, Mrs F. M. L. Sheppard. Flesher Avenue, which runs through the property once owned by the Flesher family, is named after him.

Here is a previous post about the Flesher family photo album covering the years 1909-11.