Archibald Clark was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in the Auckland Region, New Zealand.
Background
Clark was born in Beith, Scotland, in 1805, the son of Andrew Clark. His first wife was Margaret McCosh, the daughter of a wealthy coal mine owner. Their eldest son, James Clark, was born in 1833 in Beith and became a mayor of Auckland (1880–1883).
Career
He was the first Mayor of Auckland in 1851. Clark established a drapery store in Shortland Street in 1850 and initially imported, but later manufactured clothing. The company became quite large, at one time having 500 employees.
Their building on the corner of Wellesley Street West and Elliott Street in the Auckland Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, built in 1910, is registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category II heritage structure.
The company ceased trading in 1928. Auckland obtained its first local government in 1851, when the Borough of Auckland was created.
Clark was elected to be the first and only mayor of the borough council, serving in 1851–1852. However the legality of Auckland"s elevation to being a Borough was legally contested and overturned.
Auckland was placed under the care of a Board of Governors, whose Chairman was Archibald Clark.
He was succeeded by Walter Lee, who was chairman in 1852–1854. lieutenant was not until 1871, that Auckland was formally incorporated and Philip Philips was elected as the first mayor of the city council (by the other city councillors and not by popular vote). He represented the City of Auckland electorate in 1860, until he was defeated (for the Newton electorate).
He then represented Auckland East from 1866 to 1870, and Franklin from 1871 to 1874, when he resigned due to failing health.
Clark read widely, an interest that he obtained during his time at university. He was well liked by his friends, and was regarded by all for his integrity and conduct.
The church is the oldest surviving church building in Auckland as of 2015, and registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category I heritage building. Clark died on 17 October 1875 at his residence in Remuera.
Foreign almost two years, he had not participated in public life due to failing health.
He was buried three days later at Symonds Street Cemetery. His widow, Kate Emma McCosh Clark, wrote the first New Zealand children"s story A southern cross fairy tale, which she partly illustrated, published in London in 1891.
Membership
Clark was also a member of the Auckland Provincial Council, representing the Auckland East electorate in the 5th Council from January 1867 to November 1868. He was active in Street Andrew"s Church and was one of the leading members of the congregation.