John Shacklock

John Bradley Shacklock (30 January 1865 – 12 July 1935) was a New Zealand iron founder and politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1914 to 1915.

Early life and family

Shacklock was born in Oamaru on 16 April 1872. His father, Henry Ely Shacklock, was a manufacturer known for producing the Shacklock coal range, and his mother was Elisabeth Shacklock (née Bradley). He lived in Dunedin from 1873, and was educated at the Dunedin Collegiate School for Boys.

In 1890, Shacklock married Ada Ralph, and the couple went on to have three children.

Manufacturing and business career

In 1978, Shacklock began working at his father's foundry. He stayed with the firm for the remainder of his life; it was formed into a private company, H. E. Shacklock Limited, in 1900, and following his father's death in 1902, Shacklock became senior partner. He served as the inaugural president of the Otago Ironmasters' Association.

For many years, Shacklock was a trustee of the Dunedin Savings Bank, including a term as chairman.

Local politics

Shacklock entered local politics in 1899, when he was elected as a member of the South Dunedin Borough Council. He was elected mayor of South Dunedin in 1904, and held that office until the end of March the following year when the borough amalgamated into Dunedin City. Subsequently, Shacklock served as a Dunedin city councillor until 1913, when he did not seek re-election to council but stood as a mayoral candidate only, finishing in third place. However, the following year, Shacklock won the mayoralty over three other candidates, securing 5579 votes, a majority of 2633 votes over his nearest opponent. He did not contest the mayoralty at the 1915 municipal elections, but was returned as a city councillor, remaining in that role until 1935, when he chose not to stand for re-election.

While on the Dunedin City Council, was chairman of the water committee from 1912 to 1913, the finance committee from 1931 to 1933, and the electric power and lighting committee from 1908 to 1913, 1915 to 1931, and 1933 to 1935. He also served as a member of the Dunedin Drainage Board and the Ocean Beach Domain Board.

Other activities

Shacklock was an officeholder for the Cargill Road Methodist Church for over 50 years, and was a member of the Hand and Heart Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity. At various times, he was also a member of the Otago Institute, the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society, and the Otago Patriotic Association. He also served on the Macandrew Road School committee from 1893, including a period as chairman.

Death and legacy

Douglas died in Dunedin on 12 July 1935, and was buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery. His wife, Ada, died in 1937.

In 1936, Ada Shacklock gifted a home, to be designated the J. B. Shacklock Home, to the Methodist Central Mission Eventide Home in Dunedin.