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 a general store. George moved there alone and was later followed by Louisa, accompanied by a 16 year old ward.  They sailed from Wellington to Foxton aboard the coastal ship; Go-Ahead, in April 1871, and made the arduous journey to Palmerston. 

In mid 1871, the general store opened and Snelson was listed in the Wellington Almanac of 1873 as ‘Postmaster and Registrar’ and 'ironmonger, general storekeeper, and land agent, Palmerston North, Manawatū' and by 1873 had diversified to become Postmaster, Registrar and Land Agent.

The Snelson’s general store and ironmonger, circa 1878. This building was owned by George Mathew Snelson, the first storekeeper, auctioneer and land agent in Palmerston North. It stood on the western side of The Square between Coleman Place and Main Street west, the site now occupied by the City Library. [Manawatū Heritage, 2009N_Bc47_BUI_2315]

As the community expanded, the Snelson name was linked to almost every civic undertaking, George being elected to the Manawatu County Council in 1876, and becoming the first Mayor of Palmerston in August 1877.   He was subsequently re-elected in 1878,1883, 1889, 1890, 1891, and1901. 

During the 1870’s and ‘80’s, he served on the Manawatu Highway Board, the Wanganui Education Board, and was the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages and a Justice of the Peace.   He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 1879 and again in 1893.   As a promoter of Palmerston North he was also a foundation member of the PN Volunteer Fire Brigade, the PN Rifle Volunteers, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the Establishment of the Palmerston North Public Hospital and a foundation member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Poster by George W Shailer, circa 1890, advertising George Snelson’s campaign for re-election as mayor. [Manawatū Heritage, 2007N_Pi1_PEO_0339]

George actively supported numerous other social and community organisations.   During the early days of his civic activities, he was also prominent in persuading the Central Government to transfer several important blocks of land to the Borough, thus advancing the development of the town.   He was, for a time, President of the town’s Musical Union, and was a foundation member of the Manawatu and West Coast A&P Association, Vice President of the Local Acclimatisation Society, Chairman of the Domain Board and a keen promoter of the establishment of the Esplanade. 

Anglican services were held both in the Snelson home and store and Louisa subsequently laid the foundation stone of the first All Saints Anglican Church in September 1875.   In the 1890’s the general economic depression coupled with ill health resulted in George’s financial difficulties, so he sold his business and the land he owned around the square and moved to Hokowhitu.   His income thus was reduced to coming from his local government appointments as Coroner, Borough Valuer and Secretary to the Cemetery Board.   The income at times was insufficient for the family’s needs and he was forced to seek rates relief. 

George Mathew Snelson and wife Louisa Matilda Snelson are shown here in the garden of their Fitzherbert Street home. George was the first mayor of Palmerston North and he and his wife are known as “the mother and father of Palmerston North.” [Circa 1885, Manawatū Heritage, 2008N_Bur13_BUI_1838]

Nevertheless, in May 1901, he was once again elected Mayor where he presided over eight Council meetings before his untimely death on 31 October.   His funeral on 4 November was subsequently a major municipal event.   All the shops closed, special transport brought mourners from Feilding and other outlying districts, and flags were flown at half mast. 

After his passing, Louisa fell upon hard times, and despite a municipal collection made on her behalf, soon had to sell the family home and she consequently moved to Sydney in 1903.

Returning to Palmerston North several years later, Louisa filled her remaining years fundraising for various community causes, giving art lessons, and selling her artwork. She lived in private hotels and with friends.

On 15 December 1919, she passed away while visiting friends in Whanganui.

Photo by Bunting Studio, circa 1914 [Manawatū Heritage, 2013N_Pi291_006926]

George and Louisa Snelson are buried at Terrace End Cemetery in Palmerston North. George died 31 October 1901 and Louisa on 14 December 1919. 

[Manawatū Heritage, 2020P_IMCA-DigitalArchive_030234]

The passing of Louisa and George Snelson marked the end of an early chapter in the history of Palmerston North and the reign of a couple affectionately remembered as the Mother and Father pioneers of our city.

Sources: 

• The MANAWATU KILWINNING LODGE No. 47.  'The EVOLUTION and the MEMORIES.  125th Jubilee 1883 - 2008' by V.W.Bro. John Livingstone, P.G.Lec., Chaplain and Bro. David Fountain, M.M.
• https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/news/early-influencers-george-louisa-snelson
• https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/