Job Vile

Job Vile (1845 – 6 December 1905) was an independent conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand, representing the Manawatu electorate between 1902 and 1905. He served as the first chairman of Pahiatua Country Council, and the first mayor of Pahiatua.

Early life and family Born in North Curry, Somerset, England, in 1845, Vile was the son of John Vile and Ann Foster.

On 15 June 1866, Vile married Helen Bland Rayner, and the couple went on to have 12 children.

Business activities By 1873, Vile was in business as a carrier, operating coaches between Wellington and Wairarapa. Over the years the length of his run decreased as the railway line was extended. Between 1893 and 1895, he ran a coach line servicing the coastal route from Hāwera to New Plymouth. However, the paper was sold in 1899.

Political career

Local politics Vile began his involvement in local-body politics as one of the first members of the Masterton Borough Council after the town achieved that status in 1877. He later served as the first chairman of the Pahiatua County Council from 1888 to 1890, and continued as a council member for a further three years.

A long-time temperance advocate, Vile served as "chief ruler" of the Pahiatua Rechabite Lodge. During his term he criticised the government, and in particular wasteful public spending. He again contested the seat at the 1905 election against John Stevens, who this time defeated Vile 2404 votes to 2045, a majority of 359. A third candidate, Oswald Gardner, standing as an independent, garnered 233 votes. However, Vile died suddenly from heart failure at Marton on the day of the election (6 December 1905), before the results were released. He was buried at Mangatainoka Pahiatua Cemetery.