Job Vile

Job Vile (1845 – 6 December 1905) was an independent conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand, representing the Manawatu electorate between 1902 and 1905. He was served as the first chairman of Pahiatua Country Council, and the first mayor of Pahiatua.

Job Vile
1st Chairman of Pahiatua County Council
In office
1888–1890
Succeeded bySamuel Bolton
1st Mayor of Pahiatua
In office
1892–1893
Succeeded byHarold Smith
In office
January – November 1895
Preceded byHarold Smith
Succeeded byDavid Crewe
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Manawatu
In office
1902–1905
Preceded byJohn Stevens
Succeeded byJohn Stevens
Majority176
Personal details
Born1845
North Curry, Somerset, England
Died (aged 60)
Marton, New Zealand
Political partyIndependent
Spouse(s)
Helen Bland Rayner
​
(m. 1866)​
RelationsSonja Davies (great-granddaughter)
Children12

Early life and family

Born in North Curry, Somerset, England, in 1845, Vile was the son of John Vile and Ann Foster.[1][2] In 1856, the family emigrated to New Zealand on the Anne Wilson, arriving in Wellington and first settling in the Hutt Valley. However, after flooding in 1858, they moved to the Wairarapa, eventually purchasing land to farm near present-day Carterton.[2]

On 15 June 1866, Vile married Helen Bland Rayner,[3] and the couple went on to have 12 children.[2] The trade unionist and politician Sonja Davies was Vile's great-granddaughter.[1][4]

Business activities

By 1873, Vile was in business as a carrier, operating coaches between Wellington and Wairarapa. Over the years the length of his run decreased as the railway line was extended. Between 1893 and 1895, he ran a coach line servicing the coastal route from Hāwera to New Plymouth.[2] Vile purchased the Hastings Standard newspaper in 1897, and his son, Arthur, became the manager and editor.[5][6] However, the paper was sold in 1899.[5][7]

Political career

Local politics

Vile began his involvement in local-body politics as one of the first members of the Masterton Borough Council after the town achieved that status in 1877. He later served as the first chairman of the Pahiatua County Council from 1888 to 1890, and continued as a council member for a further three years.[2] He was the first mayor of the borough of Pahiatua, serving two separate terms: from 1892 to 1893; and from January to November in 1895.[2][8][9]

A long-time temperance advocate, Vile served as "chief ruler" of the Pahiatua Rechabite Lodge.[2]

New Zealand Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1902–1905 15th Manawatu Independent

At the 1902 general election, Vile stood as an independent for the Manawatu electorate, defeating the incumbent, John Stevens of the Liberal Party, by 1691 votes to 1515.[10] During his term he criticised the government, and in particular wasteful public spending.[11] He again contested the seat at the 1905 election against John Stevens, who this time defeated Vile 2404 votes to 2045, a majority of 359. A third candidate, Oswald Gardner, standing as an independent, garnered 233 votes.[12] However, Vile died suddenly from heart failure at Marton on the day of the election (6 December 1905), before the results were released.[13] He was buried at Mangatainoka Pahiatua Cemetery.[14]

References
  1. "Vile: John D. Vile and Ann Foster". Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  2. "Pahiatua: ex-mayors". Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Wellington Provincial District). Wellington: Cyclopedia Company. 1897. pp. 1021–1022. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  3. "MARRIAGES". Wellington Independent. 14 July 1866. p. 5. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  4. Else, Anne. "Sonja Davies". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  5. Boyd, M.B. (1984). City of the Plains: A History of Hastings. Wellington: Victoria University Press. p. 121. ISBN 0-86473-022-5. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  6. "untitled". Woodville Examiner. 19 November 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. "Sale of the Hastings "Standard"". Wairarapa Daily Times. 1 May 1899. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. "Pahiatua Borough Council". Woodville Examiner. 11 January 1895. p. 3. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  9. "Mayoral elections". Feilding Star. 28 November 1895. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  10. "The general election, 1902". National Library. 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  11. "Post-sessional: Mr J. Vile addresses his constituents". Wairarapa Daily Times. 9 December 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. "The General Election, 1905". National Library. 1906. p. 3. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  13. "Bad death of Mr Vile". Feilding Star. XXVII (112). 7 December 1905. p. 3. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  14. "The late Mr Job Vile, M.H.R." Wairarapa Daily Times. 11 December 1905. p. 5. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
John Stevens		 Member of Parliament for Manawatu
1902–1905		 Succeeded by
John Stevens
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