Background
Charles Gray was born in Geelong, Victoria, in Australia and came to New Zealand in 1862.
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Charles Gray
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Gray was elected to the Christchurch City Council in 1885. Mayoral elections were held on 26 November 1890. The two candidates were the incumbent, Samuel Manning, and Gray, who received 492 and 665 votes, respectively.
Gray was thus elected as the 17th mayor of Christchurch.
He was mayor until 1892, and again in 1904 to 1905. His chief aims were beautifying the city, drainage, sanitation, lighting and high pressure water supply.
Charles Gray represented the Christchurch North electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives from the 1905 election to 1908. Gray defeated Tommy Taylor in the 1905 contest for Christchurch North.
Gray made it clear during the election campaign that he was an independent Liberal who would go to the House unfettered by party obligations.
He declared that he was not a "party man". Gray died in Christchurch on 11 June 1918.
