FLESHER, JAMES ARTHUR (1865-1930) was born in Christchurch, and educated at Christ's College. He held a Gould scholarship. He was employed by the legal firm of Wilding and Lewis, and later by Joynt and Acton Adams and was admitted to the bar in 1899. Flesher was a member of the Christchurch City Council (1891-93) and again from 1917, becoming deputy-mayor in 1921 and mayor (1923-25). He was also mayor of New Brighton (1912-13, 1915-17) and a councillor from 1911; a member of the Christchurch tramway board (1906-18, 1921-27) and chairman (1913-16); of the Richmond school committee and domain board, the Christchurch domain board (1919-21); the Waimakariri river trust board (1927) and the Christchurch and Avon licensing committees. He took an active interest in the Red Cross society and St John's Ambulance association and the Methodist Church. He was president of the Christchurch Musical society (1915-18), chairman of the McLean Institute and of the Canterbury Pilgrims' association (1923). Flesher was a founder of the Canterbury Progress league in 1918, and president in 1929.

(O.B.E. 1918) He married (1900) Margaret Lucy, daughter of Robert Deakin. He died on 18 Aug 1930.

Cycl. N.Z., iii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Christ's Coll. Reg.; The Press, 19 Aug 1930.

Reference: Volume 1, page 150

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