TOWNLEY, JOHN (1837-1920) was born at Warrington, Lancashire, and educated at Preston and at the Church of England Sunday School in Manchester. He served an apprenticeship to cabinet-making in Manchester, and afterwards worked in Shrewsbury. For some time he was employed on railway construction in the north of England. He married (1863) Elizabeth Peers. In the same year they arrived in Auckland by the Telegraph and proceeded to Napier. Townley served in the war in Hawkes Bay and was present at the battle of Omarunui. He was for some years in business in Napier in the firm of Large and Townley. In 1873 he settled in Gisborne, entering into business at Townley's corner. In 1877 he was elected to the first Gisborne borough council, of which he was a member until 1899. He was mayor from that year until 1907. During his mayoralty the Gisborne water supply was inaugurated. Townley was chairman of the harbour board for 27 years; superintendent of the fire brigade for 30 years, and chairman of the Gisborne permanent building society. He took a keen interest in the railway league. Townley died on 27 Apr 1920.

Family information; Gisborne Jubilee Souvenir; Gisborne Times, 10 May 1927; Poverty Bay Herald, 28 Apr 1920.

Reference: Volume 2, page 199

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