Ernest Davis (brewer)
Sir Ernest Hyam Davis (17 February 1872 – 16 September 1962) was a New Zealand businessman, and was Mayor of Auckland City from 1935 to 1941.The historian and polictial scientist Barry Gustafson has described Davis as "a millionaire who from 1912 until his death was a very generous financial supporter of the Labour Party ... A ruthless businessman, benefactor of worthy causes, and with an eye for the opposite sex."[7] In 1935, Davis was elected Mayor of Auckland with Citizens' Committee endorsement, narrowly defeating Labour's candidate Joe Sayegh by only 400 votes.He collected a large number of Victorian paintings, which hung in the hotel until its closure in 1966 when it was leased by Hancock & Co. Ltd from the Ara Masonic Lodge.[10] He was appointed a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by the Republic of France on 2 April 1938 for his services to the French Navy during their visits to Auckland.