Leslie Ernest Collier (1885 - 1975)

Born 4 Sep 1885 in Victoria, Australia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Baker (Smith) Collier — married 12 Mar 1913 in Nelson, New Zealand

Husband of Susie Bellamy (Clothier) Collier — married 1920 (to about 1922) in New Zealand

Husband of Florence Maud (Hammett) Collier — married 1924 in New Zealand

Died 1975 at about age 89 in New Zealand

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Biography

Leslie Ernest was born in 1885. He was the son of James Bryden Collier.

Mr L. Collier (son of Mr J. B. Collier), who served an apprenticeship with Messrs.Doo and Sons, of Nelson, has left Wellington by the Corinthic for London, to gain further experience in his trade. ^[1]

A NELSONIAN'S DESCRIPTION. The appended account of the funeral of King Edward, by an ex-Nelsonian, will doubtless be of interest. It is a very interesting description of the great event, and is contained in a letter dated May 22nd, which Mr. Leslie Collier. has written to his father. Mr. J. B. Collier, of Messrs Dee and Sons, Nelson : Having stated that an uncle had received an invitation for three to view the procession from a warehouse in Edgeware Road, and that he formed one of the three. Mr. Collier goes on ^[2]

He married Jane Baker Smith in 1913 ^[3]

COLLIER-SMITH. —On March 12th, 1913, at St. John's Methodist Church, by the Rev. J. D. McArthur, Leslie Ernest, second son of Mr J. B. Collier, to Jane Baker (Jennie), youngest daughter of Mrs Robt. M. Smith. ^[4]

After she passed away in 1916, he married 2nd Susie Bellamy Clothier in 1920 ^[5] They soon separated and divorced after a short-lived marriage

Susie Bellamy Collier (Mr Calvert) applied for a separation order against her husband, Leslie Ernest Collier (Mr H, L. Cook), on the grounds of persistent cruelty and failure to maintain.—The case was partly heard in Blenheim, where the couple lived, and defendant came down, to Dunedin to defend himself.—The court was cleared and witnesses ordered out. —Mr Calvert said the parties wore married in July, 1920, mid explained that the basis of the complaint was overinsistance by defendant on his marital rights. —Mr Cook said the defence was a complete denial.—The evidence was taken of complainant, a friend named Miss Martin, Mr Harrison, and defendant, the hearing occupying the whole of the afternoon.--- The Magistrate said it was a very painful case to deal with. The parties had been married after a very short engagement, and when the glamour of the honeymoon had worn off trouble ensued, probably because they had not had time to know each other’s temperament. In addition to the wife’s evidence the only witness called in her support was Miss Martin, whose evidence really only dealt with one particular incident. The evidence of Dr Harrison really meant that her present state of health concurred with her evidence, but he could not say that it was necessarily attributable to the ill-treatment to which she alleged that she was submitted. ' The evidence taken in Blenheim was entitled to weight, as in such a small place the circumstances would be known to the witnesses. Tho evidence of Dr Bennett (of Blenheim) was quite inconsistent with hers, and it was more than strange that she had not complained to' him of ill-treatment. There was also the evidence of Dr Adams that the husband was an abstemious man and did not indulge in liquor, even at social functions at which it might perhaps be expected, which seemed to show that he was a man of self-restraint. As to their home, the evidence taken at Blenheim seemed to show that they were on exceptionally good terms. The husband had given his evidence very frankly on the critical points, and when eo admitted things freely it left a much better impression on the court than if he had been guarded and set himself up as a model of restraint He (the magistrate) had only the evidence before him to consider, and he could not say that the wife had established the grounds of persistent cruelty in the manner which she had alleged; indeed, all the evidence was quite opposed to it. As she had not established that, she had not shown reasonable cause to leave her home (complainant left her husband six months after her marriage), and he must dismiss the complaint^[6]

LADIES' TAILORING SALON AN ARTISTIC SHOWROOM BEAUTIFULY MADE GARMENTS Many folk use the word "Specialist whether they are entitled to it or not; Mr Leslie Collier has made ladies' tailoring his study for fifteen years, both inNew Zealand and in London. He- has how returned to Nelson permanently and is the managing director of Messrs Colliers, Ltd., Bridge street Salon. Messrs Colliers, Ltd., situated above Mr Ruff's Sample rooms, offers ladies a unique opportunity to secure beauty fully made garments seldom seen outside big cities. This cosy salon is fitted up lavishly after the style of the Sydney salons. All the garments have been specially made for Nelson by London and Paris artists. They are solely;confined to this company and no two, at any time, will be alike. ^[7]

Messrs Colliers Ltd., dress specialists, have found their business expanding; to such a degree as to warrant the removal to central premises. They ,therefore, acquired at O. K. novelty business, in Trafalgar-street. The firm intends to have the whole of the interior remodelled to suit their business, which will be fitted up like a modern drawing room. Every comfort will be carried out for ladies, and no expense will be spared to make it attractive. Under improved conditions fur work will be carried on in its various branches. Fur coats will now be made to clients’ orders. Mr Leslie Collier, the managing director, is to be congratulated in this new enterprise, as a dress specialist and ladies’ tailor is a new idea for Nelson, and should mean the employing of many hands.^[8]

He married 3rd Florence Maud Hammett in 1924 ^[9]

THEFT CASES. TWO MEN CHARGED. REMANDED TO SUPREME COURT. The Police Court this morning resembled a jumble sale when, before Messrs C. H. Whitehead and G. AV. Ashworth, J.P.’s, Leonard George Coley, a labourer, aged 31 years, and Harold Coley, a cheesemaker, aged 27 years, were jointly charged with: (1) Breaking and entering the premises of Leslie Ernest Collier, furrier, of Palmerston North, and stealing therefrom 8 fur coats valued at £235; (2) With breaking and entering the store of Williams George Penning, Ohau, and stealing goods to the value of £25; and (3) breaking and entering the Ashhurst railway station and stealing £1 5s lOd, the property of the New Zealand Government. The table in the Court was littered with shirts, sox, fur coats, electric torches, watches and-cutlery. The charge of breaking and entering the premises of Ernest Collier was first dealt with. Ernest Leslie Collier stated that, on December 31, 1937, Ire had closed his shop about 10 p.m. He did not visit the shop again until January 4, 1928, when it was immediately obvious that the premises had been broken into. A survey showed that eight fur coats, valued at £235, had been stolen. The seven coats produced in Court where his property. In evidence, Detective Russell stated that, on March 7, he had arrested Harold Coley on another charge. In company with Senior-Detective Quirko he had searched accused’s lodgings and had found the coats. Accused then admitted that, in company with another man, he had broken into Collier’s shop and stolen the coats. Accused made a statement to this effect. On March 16 he arrested Leonard Coley, who made a statement in which he admitted that, in company with his brother, he had stolen a car in Palmerston North and had entered Collier s shop. He had also stated that he had given a fur coat to a lady whose name and address he supplied. Neither accused had anything to say and pleaded guilty, both being committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. ^[10]

Mr L. E. Collier, furrier, of Palmerston North, has left for Melbourne owing to advice received of his mother’s illness. ^[11]

COMPANY REGISTRATIONS. Among the private companies registered this week wore the following:.... The Leslie Collier Company, Ltd., Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Objects; To carry on the business of furriers, tailors, and outfitters, at present carried on under the name of “Collier’s.” Capital, £I000, in £1 shares. Subscribers: Ernest Leslie Collier, tailor, Palmerston North, 600 shares; Florence Maud Collier, 400 shares. ^[12]

He passed away in 1975. ^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, 16 July 1908
2. ↑ THE KING'S FUNERAL. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 12 July 1910
3. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1913/1770
4. ↑ MARRIAGE. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 March 1913
5. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1920/7283
6. ↑ CITY POLICE COURT Otago Daily Times, Issue 18287, 2 July 1921
7. ↑ LADIES' TAILORING SALON Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 1 May 1923
8. ↑ LOCAL AND GENERAL Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 27 November 1923
9. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1924/6302
10. ↑ THEFT CASES. Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 95, 20 March 1928
11. ↑ PERSONAL Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 275, 19 October 1929
12. ↑ FARMING AND COMMERCIAL Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 66, 13 February 1930
13. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
    • NZ Death registration 1975/37525