Bernard Charles Beale

Bernard Charles Beale (10 September 1830 – 16 January 1910) was a New Zealand medical doctor and local body politician. Born in England, he was a licensed surgeon assistant and also worked as a ship's surgeon before emigrating with his wife to New Zealand in 1861. He set up practice in Nelson before moving to Auckland and being commissioned in the Waikato Militia. He was given a land grant in Hamilton at the end of his military service and settled there with his wife. He practiced medicine, acted as a coroner, and became involved in local body politics. He served a brief but tempestuous term from March to December 1880 as the 4th mayor of Hamilton. He later moved back to Auckland, where he died in 1910 at the age of 79.

Early life Born in London, England on 10 September 1830, Bernard Charles Beale was the son of Thomas and Sophia Beale. His father was a surgeon and Bernard likewise entered the medical profession and began work at City of London Union's workhouse as a dispenser of medicine while training at London Hospital. After three years of training, he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1852 and qualified as a licensed assistant surgeon later that year. He was on a number of health boards administering Poor Laws and also served as a ship's surgeon from 1852 to 1853, including a voyage to British India aboard the Earl of Balcarras.

Beale developed a reputation for being litigious; he often took legal action against patients who did not pay for their treatment. He also sued a man who pulled his son's ears during a public debate and was charged with forcible entry of a chemist's premises when disputing the terms of a lease. Despite this, he was well regarded as a physician by both patients and other doctors. His work as coroner was seen as diligent and thorough. In early 1878, he stood for election in the Hamilton Borough Council, and was the highest polling candidate. He soon clashed with his fellow councilors, raising allegations of conflicts of interest and using intemperate language in heated debates. In March 1879, he faced calls for his resignation in response to his initiation of bankruptcy proceedings. He stayed on council and ran for mayor later that year in December but was unsuccessful. However, the elected mayor lasted only four months before resigning and forcing a re-election. Beale was successful this time, being the only candidate to stand. In 1887, he returned to the militia, acting as brigade surgeon to the Auckland Volunteers until his retirement in 1905. Beale died five years later on 16 January 1910 after a fall at his home in Avondale, where he was living at the time. He was survived by his wife and eight of their children; Beale was buried at Purewa Cemetery.

Legacy

His residence in Hamilton, Beale Cottage, built in 1872, served as his surgical practice as well as the Beale family home.