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Alderman Alfred Asher, JP., Mayor of Newcastle. Mr. Asher, the Mayor of Newcastle, is the son of a some- time well-known colonist, Mr. Samuel Asher, and comes of the popular Nottingham family of that name. He was born at Newcastle in the year 1850, and is, therefore, now in his 44th year. The death of his father early threw him upon his own resources, and it was then that his bountiful share of self-reliance was first taxed. Bidding farewell to his school days he apprenticed himself to the saddlery trade, and on the expiry of his indentures, in his 18th year, began business on his own account. Close application and his happy manner brought their reward, and after 14 years he retired, to take up a position with a leading life insurance company ; filling the office with marked success until the year 1881 , when he was offered and accepted the appointment of Schools Attendance Officer,- under the Public Instruction Department. He continued in the public service up to the date of the issue of the mandate (by the Inglis Ministry) requiring all school attendance officers who had not previously been State school teachers to resign their office. After relinquishing this last vocation the subject of our article again entered commercial life as an auctioneer and broker, continuing so up to the present. Very early in life Mr. Asher evinced a predilection for public life, and he now vividly recalls some of the exciting campaigns in the Northern capital during the good old days, and speaks with rare accuracy of the conduct of the first municipal election held in that city. The memorable contest between Sir James (then Mr.) Martin, and Mr. Geo. A. Lloyd, when the latter was victorious, fairly launched him into political significance in the north, and from that day forward his interest has never waned. He was closely identified with the late James Fletcher and the Hon. Alexander Brown through the whole of their parliamentary life, as their trusted secretary and friend. Since his election to the office of Mayor many overtures have been made to him to submit himself as a candidate for Parliament in the next general election. He first sought municipal honours in the Honeysuckle Ward of his natal city, and was triumphantly returned by a large majority ; an experience he has since three times enjoyed, in February last polling the largest majority ever recorded for the borough. In the quieter fields of public life, too, his advancement has been corresponding, his active association with friendly societies having borne commendable results. For 27 years he his been a member of the Sons of Temperance, and for the last 16 successively of that period has held the honourable office of Grand Scribe. At his mayoral election the ardour and esteem of his fellow abstainers nearly brought him into conflict with his colleagues at the council table ; but his remarkable aptitude for grasping a situation soon set matters straight, and showed that no man should be made the victim of a circumstance. Mr. Asher is a generally popular public man. His urbanity and kindly demeanour, coupled with innumerable cases more tangible sympathy are characteristic of the man who enlists affect-on but commands respect.
Source:
Newcastle Chronicle
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Advertisement. - Alfred Asher, Saddler and Harness maker. A. A. Company Bridge, Blane street, Newcastle
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Boyhood memories - 80 years in Newcastle
First Name:
Alfred and Sarah
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Death of Robert Birkby Asher, son of Sarah and Alfred Asher
First Name:
Alfred Griffin
Source:
Newcastle Chronicle
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Death - at West Maitland on 26th April at the residence of Mr. Alfred Griffin, Alice Maria, the beloved wife of Mr. F. Asher, aged 23 years
Place:
Mabelville, Moate street, Georgetown
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Death of Alfred Asher who was born in Perkins street 83 years previously
