Andrew Henson Allen

Andrew Henson Allen (23 December 1876 – 6 August 1963) was a New Zealand businessman and politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1938 to 1944, and was briefly a member of the Legislative Council.

Biography Born in the Dunedin suburb of Caversham on 23 December 1876, Allen was the son of John Allen, originally from Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, who arrived in New Zealand in 1867, and his wife Ellen Allen (née Godso), originally from Birmingham, England. He was educated in Caversham, and then worked for Hallenstein Brothers for 10 years before joining his father in business as a partner in John Allan and Son. The firm of wholesale merchants and manufacturers' agents became a limited liability company—Allen, Son, and McClure Limited—in 1907, and Allen succeeded his father as managing director in 1912.

On 13 January 1904, Allen married Etta Elaine Peacock at St Matthew's Church, Dunedin, and the couple went on to have two children.

Allen served two terms as mayor of Dunedin, from 1938 to 1944.

Outside of local politics, Allen was active in the commercial, civic and sporting life of Dunedin. He served as president of the Otago Importers and Shippers' Association, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and the Otago Art Gallery Society.

Allen was appointed a member of the Legislative Council on 22 June 1950. He was appointed as a member of the suicide squad nominated by the First National Government in 1950 to vote for the abolition of the Council. Most of the new members (like Allen) were appointed on 22 June 1950, and served until 31 December 1950 when the Council was abolished.