George Snelson

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.

He married Louisa Matilda (née Buck, b. 1844 in Wellington) on 6 July 1865.

Political activity

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 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.

Parliamentary contender

Snelson stood for Parliament in 1879 and 1893, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. and was buried in Terrace End Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, who died on 15 December 1919 during a visit to Whanganui. Snelson Street in Palmerston North is named after the Snelsons.