STEAD, GEORGE GATONBY (1841-1908) was born in London, and educated there and at St Andrew's College, Grahamstown, South Africa. He came to New Zealand in 1865 by the Talbot. For five years he worked in the Christchurch branch of the Union Bank of Australia and in 1870, with William Royse, he commenced business as a grain and export merchant. Stead was chairman of directors of The Press Newspaper Co.; a director of the Christchurch Gas Co., of the New Zealand Shipping Co., and the Blackball Coal Co. He was three times president of the chamber of commerce, and played an important part in the establishment of the Tai Tapu and Central Dairy Co. In 1890 he was defeated for the Avon seat in the House of Representatives. He was a member of the Canterbury College board of governors (1891-99). In 1900 he was responsible for equipping and providing 110 mounted men for the South African war, and in 1903 he was elected to the first tramway board.

Stead bought the Coringa station in 1880. He was a prominent and successful racehorse owner, and treasurer of the Canterbury Jockey Club for many years. In 1876 he married Lucy, daughter of T. Wilkinson of Hartlepool. He died on 29 Apr 1908.

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Acland; Philpott; Lyttelton Times, 30 Apr 1908.

Reference: Volume 2, page 166

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