George Matthew Snelson
Encyclopedia
George Matthew Snelson (22 November 1837 – 31 October 1901) was the first Mayor of Palmerston North
and is considered Palmerston North
's founding father. He was an ironmonger, a storekeeper and a community leader.
. At age 19, he moved to Bedford
for new employment.
He came to New Zealand on 21 February 1863 aboard the Earl of Windsor, arriving in Wellington
.
He married Louisa Matilda (née Buck, b. 1844 in Wellington
) on 6 July 1865.
He was again elected in 1883–1884, and then 1889–1892. He died during his seventh term in office in 1901.
On 8 November 1901, the borough councillors elected a new mayor. Two councillors contested the mayoralty, and William Thomas Wood
beat Fred Pirani 6 to 4. Councillor Pirani resigned from his seat afterwards on the grounds that he had been misled.
and 1893
, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
. Snelson Street in Palmerston North is named after the Snelsons.
Mayor of Palmerston North
The Mayor of Palmerston North is the head of the municipal government of Palmerston North, New Zealand, and presides over the Palmerston North City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
and is considered Palmerston North
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
's founding father. He was an ironmonger, a storekeeper and a community leader.
Early life
Snelson was born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, England, on 22 November 1837. His parents were James Snelson (coach manufacturer) and Mary (née Halford). He left school when he was 15 to learn the trade of ironmonger and hardware merchant in Melton MowbrayMelton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham...
. At age 19, he moved to Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
for new employment.
He came to New Zealand on 21 February 1863 aboard the Earl of Windsor, arriving in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
.
He married Louisa Matilda (née Buck, b. 1844 in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
) on 6 July 1865.
Mayor of Palmerston North
Snelson was elected mayor seven times. He and his wife are regarded as the father and the mother of Palmerston North. He was the mayor of Palmerston North's first council, elected unopposed on 9 August 1877. The first council had nine members. He served until 1879.He was again elected in 1883–1884, and then 1889–1892. He died during his seventh term in office in 1901.
On 8 November 1901, the borough councillors elected a new mayor. Two councillors contested the mayoralty, and William Thomas Wood
William Thomas Wood
William Thomas Wood was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.Wood was active in local body politics. He was elected councillor on the Palmerston North Borough in 1884, 1885–1887, 1892–1895 and again in 1901...
beat Fred Pirani 6 to 4. Councillor Pirani resigned from his seat afterwards on the grounds that he had been misled.
Parliamentary contender
Snelson stood for Parliament in 1879New Zealand general election, 1879
The New Zealand general election of 1879 was held between 28 August and 15 September to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 1 and 8 September. A total number of 82,271 voters turned out to vote.The election came about when George...
and 1893
New Zealand general election, 1893
The New Zealand general election of 1893 was held on Tuesday, 28 November in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 12th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
Passing
Snelson died on 31 October 1901. He was survived by his wife, who died on 15 December 1919 during a visit to WhanganuiWhanganui
Various places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
. Snelson Street in Palmerston North is named after the Snelsons.