Mary Manson (Bain) Dreaver (1887 - 1961)

Born 31 Mar 1887 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

Ancestors

Wife of Andrew James Dreaver — married 1911 in New Zealand

Died 19 Jul 1961 at age 74 in New Zealand

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Biography

Mary was the first of thirteen children of Alexander Manson Bain, a cabinetmaker, and his wife, Hannah Kiely. She was born in Dunedin after her parents arrived in New Zealand. Her parents were married in New Zealand

She was married on 12 April 1911 in Christchurch to Andrew James Dreaver, a travelling salesman and former Otago–Southland featherweight boxing champion. Helping support the family during the Depression she became a piano teacher.

External biographies outline that she was ordained a minister around 1938 of the Spiritualist Church of New Zealand. In the 1940's she had an astrology column in the New Zealand Women's Weekly.

After some unsuccessful political election attempts, Mary became the third woman to enter the New Zealand Parliament, having won a by-election in 1941 for Waitematā. She lost the seat in the next election, but had the achievement of introducing the Women Jurors Bill, which became law in 1942.

As an organiser of Women's Land Service she was appointed an MBE in 1946. She was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1946 and remained on the Council until it was abolished in 1950.

Mary had a personal interest in art and painted several landscapes under her maiden name.

She died in Auckland on 19 July 1961. Her husband, Andrew, died three months later. They were survived by three daughters and two sons, with one son, Bruce, having already been killed in 1943. Following her death her remains were cremated at Waikumete Cemetery.

Biography links:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Dreaver
• http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4d18/dreaver-mary-manson

Sources

• BDM NZ birth cert 1887/14248 ( parents " Hanna & Alexander Manson Bain ")
• BDM NZ marriage cert 1911/2374 ( Andrew James Dreaver )
• BDM NZ death cert 1961/29602 ( 74 Y )
• Cremation Record - Auckland City Council - online summary accessed at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries