GOURLEY, HUGH (1825-1906) was born at Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland, where he was educated. As a young man he moved to Newtownards, and in 1852 he sailed for Australia in the Emigrant. He was a year in Melbourne and some time in Geelong and on the Ballarat diggings. Returning to Geelong later, he became a member of the town council.

In 1861 he crossed to New Zealand in the Spray and started with a party for the Otago goldfields. After working claims at Waitahuna, Wetherstones, Gabriel's Gully and Waipori, he returned to Dunedin, worked at his trade as a saddler and, having brought his family over, started in business. He ran a coach service between Dunedin and Port Chalmers and cabs in Dunedin, and in 1874 added funeral undertaking to his business.

Gourley was a borough councillor of St Kilda from 1881 and mayor for 13 years; chairman of the Otago harbour board (for 16 years), a city councillor (1885-95), mayor of Dunedin twice (1888-89, 1896-97), a member of the Otago dock trust (for 17 years), of the benevolent trustees (22 years); of the licensing committee and other bodies. He contested parliamentary seats in 1893 and 1897, and in 1899 was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till 1906. Gourley married a daughter of John Johnston, of County Down. He died on 16 Dec 1906.

Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 5 Jul 1899, 17 Dec 1906.

Reference: Volume 1, page 173

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