LUKE, SIR JOHN PEARCE (1858-1931) was born at St Just, Penzance, Cornwall, and educated at the Penzance Wesleyan day school. In 1874 he came with his parents to New Zealand, and entered the engineering shop of E. W. Mills to complete his apprenticeship. He was afterwards employed by Edward Seagar, of the Victoria foundry, and was then engaged by the Government as an engineer in the Petone workshops. In 1879 he joined his father and brothers in founding the firm of S. Luke and Sons, which carried out many important engineering works, including shipbuilding and lighthouse construction. Luke was later joint manager and director until the business was merged in J. J. Niven and Co.

He was a member of the Wellington City Council (1898-1911) and mayor of the City (1913-21). In the Council he moved the resolution to purchase the horse trams for the City, and as mayor he furthered reclamations and inaugurated the superannuation scheme for city employees. He was many years president of the New Zealand Engineers' and Ironmasters' Association, and was a member of the hospital board, the technical education board and the Wellington Industrial Association. In 1908 Luke was elected Liberal member for Wellington Suburbs. Defeated by W. H. D. Bell in 1911, and for Wellington South by Hindmarsh in 1914, he was returned for Wellington North in 1918, and held the seat till 1928. He was defeated by C. H. Chapman in 1928 and 1931. Luke received the C.M.G. (1917) and was knighted in 1921. He died on 7 Dec 1931. He married (1880) Jacobina (1861-1937, daughter of H. A. Gordon), who was awarded the C.B.E. for social and war work.

N.Z.P.D.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Evening Post (p) and The Dominion, 8 Dec 1931 (p), 16 Mar 1937.

Reference: Volume 1, page 270

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