Background
Dignan was born in Auckland. He was the eldest son of Patrick Dignan Member of Legislative Council and was educated at Street Peter"s School by the noted teacher Richard O"Sullivan.
Dignan was born in Auckland. He was the eldest son of Patrick Dignan Member of Legislative Council and was educated at Street Peter"s School by the noted teacher Richard O"Sullivan.
He was the first New Zealand-born and probably the first Catholic occupant of the position. Dignan was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1868. Dignan was involved in Sunday school and other activities connected with Street Patrick"s Cathedral, Auckland and other Catholic initiatives.
Dignan was an officer in the volunteer armed forces and for 22 years he was a trustee and sometime President of the Auckland Working Men"s Club.
He also gave his services to many other community endeavours, including the Auckland Harbour Board and the Auckland University College. In 1897, in his first term as Mayor, the statue of Queen Victoria was erected in Albert Park to mark her 60 years as Queen.
In 1898, during his second term as Mayor, the Auckland Exhibition was held. As Mayor, Dignan attempted to increase the rating revenue of the Auckland City Council by promoting a Bill which would have restored to the Council the rating powers possessed by all other boroughs.
In anticipation of the measure being passed, it was decided to ascertain the opinion of the ratepayers.
The ratepayers were not persuaded and at the poll they disapproved the suggested increase (9d in the ₤) by 1,594 votes to 1,052. The Bill was withdrawn. Dignan"s successor, David Goldie, instead, had to institute rigorous economies in council administration with aged and aging officials being pensioned official
Dignan died on 15 June 1922.
Patrick Dignan, was member of the Board of Governors of Street Peter"s School. He was a member of the Catholic Young Men"s Literary and Debating Society which was the nursery of several political careers including those of John Sheehan and another young lawyer, Joseph Tole. Dignan was a member of the Auckland City Council for 12 years.