| Charles Harley | |
| Order: | 14th |
| Office: | Mayor of Nelson |
| Term Start: | 1915 |
| Term End: | 1917 |
| Predecessor: | William Lock |
| Successor: | William Snodgrass |
| Birth Name: | Charles John Harley |
| Birth Date: | 10 October 1861 |
| Birth Place: | Stoke, New Zealand |
| Death Place: | Nelson, New Zealand |
| Profession: | Barrister and solicitor |
Charles John Harley (10 October 1861 - 16 December 1922) was a New Zealand local-body politician. He served as Mayor of Nelson from 1915 to 1917.
Born at Stoke on 10 October 1861,[1] the son of Alfred Harley and his wife Emily Annie Harley (née Cundy), Harley was educated at Nelson College from 1875 to 1878.[2] A barrister and solicitor by profession, he was admitted to the Bar in 1883.[3] Harley married Janet Ramage Kerr the following year. Their son Howard was a marine engineer on the Laurentic when it was sunk in 1917 of the coast of Ireland. Howard survived and joined the Royal Navy Reserve, serving on a cruiser in World War I.[4] [5]
Harley was a partner in Adams and Harley and one of the owners of the Tonga Bay Granite Company.[6]
Harley, a city councillor since the 1890s, defeated William Lock by 1223 votes to 1065 to become Mayor of Nelson in 1915.[7] Despite being pressed by the councilors in 1917 to stand for another term Harley declined.[8] William Snodgrass won the ensuing mayoral election and became the next mayor of Nelson.
Harley was a trustee of the Cawthorn Estate, and a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.[9]
Harley died at Nelson on 16 December 1922,[10] and was buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery.[11]