Our First Junior Warden: Bro. George Mathew Snelson
Bro. Snelson was a foundation member of the Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge, being appointed to the rank of Junior Warden on 29 January 1883. Born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire on 23 November 1837 and on leaving Grammar school at the age of 15, he served an apprenticeship in ironmongery and general merchandising, continuing working in that trade until he emigrated to New Zealand. At the age of 25 he arrived in Wellington on 21 February 1863 and gained employment as a clerk for E. W. Mills; a firm of ironmongers and general merchants. He met and later married Louisa Matilda Buck on 6 July 1865. They had a daughter; Frances Mary Halford, in 1866 and a son; George James Halford in 1868. Both died as infants. In 1870, the Government began to make arrangements for the immigration of Scandinavians to the Manawatu district. E.W. Mills agreed that George, who was by then his partner, should move to Palmerston (Palmerston North) to open ...