Charles Thomas Ick
Charles Thomas Ick | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England |
| Died | April 27, 1885 (aged 58) |
| Occupation(s) | Mercer, Draper, Auctioneer, Farmer, Politician |
| Years active | 1858–1882 |
| Known for | Mayor of Christchurch (1878–1880) |
Charles Thomas Ick (9 January 1827 – 27 April 1885) held the position of Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand from December 1878 through December 1880. Originating from Shropshire, he received training as a mercer and draper. The Ick family, including five children, emigrated to Otago in 1858. He practiced his trade in Dunedin for five years before spending seven years farming in Waikouaiti. In 1870, he relocated to Christchurch, where he began working as an auctioneer and subsequently launched a drapery enterprise.
Early life
Born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, Ick was the sole son of Joseph Ick, proprietor of the Lady Halton estate. In 1849, he married Jane Wainwright; their offspring born in England included Stella, Hubert, Kate, Emily Jane, and Eliza Anne. The family emigrated aboard the Lord Worsley, arriving at Port Chalmers on 4 October 1858, where they expanded their family with additional children.
Professional life
While residing in Dunedin, Ick operated as a mercer and draper on Princes Street. In January 1862, he adopted a cash-only sales policy to reduce prices for customers. By late 1862, he leased out his premises and conducted a clearance sale by January 1863.
In 1863, Ick acquired farmland in Waikouaiti. Following a hunting mishap in 1867, he remained on the farm until its sale in 1870; his stock and crops were auctioned off by Wright Stephenson.
After moving to Christchurch, Ick pursued a career as an auctioneer from 1870 until his retirement in 1882. He initially partnered with Thomas Preece—who had also emigrated on the same vessel—but their collaboration ended in August 1872. His auction rooms were situated on High Street opposite the City Hotel. Additionally, he leased property from George Gould Sr. on Whately Road and inaugurated a drapery store called Bradford House near Victoria Bridge on 1 February 1874.
Political career
On 29 November 1862, Ick declared his intention to run for Dunedin's High Ward town board via the Otago Daily Times, though his name did not appear among the candidates for the election held on 1 December. In November 1863, he unsuccessfully contested Bell Ward, finishing fourth out of five candidates. In 1865, he played a role in securing Thomas Dick's election as Superintendent of Otago Province.
During his time in Otago, Ick chaired two road boards over five years combined, served on a town council, and presided over a district school committee before resigning upon relocating to Christchurch.
Following a requisition in September 1872, Ick consented to stand for the Christchurch City Council. He was elected in five separate years: 1872, 1874, 1877, 1879, and 1880. Prior to 1916, council elections were held annually.
The inaugural public mayoral election in Christchurch took place on 20 December 1876. Ick contested against James Gapes, representing affluent interests as opposed to Gapes’ working-class supporters. Gapes prevailed with a margin of 680 votes to Ick’s 515. In the subsequent mayoral election of 1878, Ick defeated incumbent Henry Thomson by securing 601 votes against Thomson’s 343 and was sworn in on 18 December. He retained the mayoralty in 1879 by prevailing over both Aaron Ayers and Gapes. Choosing not to run in 1880, Ick was succeeded by James Gapes as mayor on 15 December.
Death and commemoration
He passed away on 27 April 1885 at the age of 58, at his home located on Papanui Road. His final resting place is Barbadoes Street Cemetery. The funeral was distinguished by the presence of the mayor, Charles Hulbert, along with former mayors James Gapes, Henry Thomson, and George Ruddenklau, who served as pallbearers.
The name Halton Street in Papanui originates from his father's estate.