John Court was a draper, businessman, municipal leader and philanthropist noted for his generosity to civic causes in Auckland.
One of four sons born in Worcestershire, England. John moved to New Zealand in 1889, where he joined two of his brothers, George and Frederick, to form Court Brothers Drapers and Clothiers on Karangahape Road and Queens Street. By 1902 they operated out of three locations. To this day, the John Court building on Queen Street and Victoria Street remains a landmark feature of Auckland’s historic central business district. John Court Limited was registered as an independent company in 1905, expanding to three shops by 1909.
Public Service
Committed to public service, John was elected Auckland City Council in 1900, and served on the councils Works Committee, overseeing improving the city’s landscape. He also served on several school committees out of his deep concern for the children of the community, which continued through his lifelong commitment to assisting children with disabilities. A generous benefactor of the Community Sunshine Association, John was responsible for providing the city’s first playgrounds at Grey Lynn and Victoria parks.
John was also an important supporter of the Auckland Zoological Society (Auckland Zoo) and donated funds for the purchase of its famed Elephant Jamuna.
A patron of the sports of rowing, tennis, and lacrosse, he also notably represented New Zealand in Australia and Great Britain as one of our leading competitive lawn bowlers. Upon his death in 1933, John left a significant bequest to Auckland City and is remembered with a memorial tablet in the Auckland Town Hall.
Court Brothers History on Karangahape
John Court
Died 1933
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Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: BK-153-121
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 895-A75945
