HUNTER, GEORGE (1788-1843) came from Banffshire, Scotland. There he was educated and, having engaged in business in Glasgow, he came to New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh (1840) intending to make his home in Wellington. In the first instance he was representing the London firm of Arthur Willis, Sons, and Co., and later he started business in Lambton Quay in partnership with Kenneth Bethune as general merchants and shipping agents. On the erection of their building S.D. Parnell (q.v.), as clerk of works, insisted on the eight-hour day.

Hunter occupied the post of storekeeper-general to the New Zealand Company's settlement. He immediately took a leading place as a citizen of Wellington. For some time the pioneers governed themselves under a voluntary association of order and defence. When this drew the suspicion of Governor Hobson they appealed for the erection of a municipality, which would enable them to raise funds to carry out the necessary works in the town. Hobson proclaimed Wellington a borough as from 4 Aug 1842, and steps were taken to elect a council. This took place on 3 Oct. Hunter became mayor by virtue of his position at the head of the poll, and appears to have been painstaking, thorough, and sagacious. He was one of the few chosen by Hobson for the commission of peace (3 May 1841).

Hunter's life came to an untimely end owing to his devotion to public duty. Requisitioned in Jun 1843 to call a public meeting to sympathise with the people of Nelson in the Wairau disaster, he attended it and caught a chill, from which his death followed on 19 Jul. W. Guyton became mayor for the balance of the term. The ordinance of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, under which the borough council was established, was disallowed later, and the corporation came to an end in Dec 1843. (See ROBERT COLE, Henry GOVETT.)

Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward (p); Evening Post, 3 Sep 1929 (p). Portrait: Wellington City Council.

Reference: Volume 1, page 227

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