Edgar Neale

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Edgar Rollo (Gar) Neale OBE JP (1889 - 1960) was born in Nelson, New Zealand on 24 October 1889. He was the son of Henry Neale and Kate Bethwaite. He married Florence Myrtle Parsonage CBE, the daughter of Henry Bruce Parsonage and Ellen Penn. His sister Gladys Neale married Howard Knight.

He was educated at Nelson Central School and Nelson College. He became a part-time Master at the College, teaching Commercial Practice, Secretary of the Old Boys Association (1923-1933), and President (1938-1945). He also served on the Colleges Board of Governors.

He loved horse racing and was Secretary of the Nelson Trotting Club for 38 years and the Nelson Jockey Club from 1919 to 1949.

He represented Nelson in cricket in 1905, while still at college. He also represented Nelson and the South Island in hockey.

In 1925 he was elected to the Nelson City Council. He became Deputy Mayor in 1933 and Mayor in 1941. In 1946 he stood as the National Party candidate for Nelson and was elected, replacing legendary Harry Atmore, an independent MP who had held the seat for 30 years.

He represented the Nelson electorate from 1946 to 1957, when he retired. He was awarded an O.B.E.

He was a strong supporter of the Nelson railway line, and extending it to link with the South Island system. However this was against National policy, and in 1954 Minister of Railways William Goosman announced the suspension of the Nelson-Glenhope line, and a five-year programme of accelerated road development.

He died after a period of illness in Nelson, New Zealand on 25 July 1960.