Norman Harold Moss

Norman Harold Moss (1896–1974) was a New Zealand lawyer and politician. He served as the mayor of Stratford from 1947 to 1957.

Early years He was born in Dunedin in 1896 and educated at Wellington College. After leaving college he was the first New Zealander to be employed in the Commercial Bank of Australia when it opened in Wellington in 1912.

At 20 he resigned to join the Medical Corps and served in England and France during World War I. and he qualified in law in 1923, practising in Hāwera and Eltham before moving to Stratford.

He married Rita Kathleen (née Grubb) in 1926.

Community involvement He made his first venture into local body life when he was elected to the Taranaki Electric Power Board in 1929, serving on the board for twelve years, the last three as chairman. He was also a member of the Stratford Hospital Board, President of the Stratford Racing Club for six years and a foundation member of the Rotary Club of Stratford. During World War II, he became Chief Controller of the Emergency Precautions Scheme in Central Taranaki.

Mayoralty During his time as mayor he was heavily involved in planning for the overdue upgrade of the town's facilities and infrastructure. N H Moss was a member of the first National Roads Board and took a prominent role in the merger of the Whangamomona County Council and Stratford County Council in 1955.

A highlight during his term as mayor was accompanying Elizabeth II and her consort the Duke of Edinburgh along their walkabout in Stratford during the Royal Visit in January 1954. Enthusiasm for the young monarch was high and her walkabout along the main street (Broadway) flanked by people was said to be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

When a local reporter questioned how he was able to fit in the vast array of community and professional commitments Norman Harold replied, "I suppose a man develops the capacity to get to the point fairly quickly and I'm lucky to be blessed with a good memory. If I read anything, I've got it."

Later life He was awarded the OBE for his services in 1954 and retired to Ōakura, New Plymouth where he died in 1974.

His wife Rita and one son Winston predeceased him and he was survived by his son John Barrie (d.2007) and granddaughter Jennifer Moss.