HUNTER, GEORGE (1821-80) was born in Banffshire, the son of G. Hunter (q.v.), with whom he came to New Zealand in 1840. He became a member of his father's firm, which in 1844 removed from Lambton Quay to Customhouse street. When Kenneth Bethune died he became the sole partner. As a business man he was shrewd, able, and scrupulously honest. He had large country interests in Hawkes Bay (where he owned the Porangahau station), and considerable holdings in real estate in Wellington.

In public life Hunter was opposed to Featherston, and he declined Grey's offer of a seat in the Legislative Council because his partner was a partisan of Featherston. He did accept the invitation in 1848. When the constitution of 1852 came into operation, Hunter retired from politics; but at the election of the second Provincial Council (1857) he was persuaded to come forward, and he was a member until the abolition. During the contest between Featherston and Jerningham Wakefield (1857-61) Hunter was closely associated with the latter, and was for a short time a member of his executive. He was also in Bunny's executive under the superintendency of Fitzherbert. Hunter entered Parliament in 1870 as a member for Wellington City, and supported Vogel and Fox against Stafford. He continued in Parliament until 1879, when he was defeated by W. Hutchison, who also defeated him for the mayoralty. He retired from the City Council in 1879. Hunter was a founder of the Wellington chamber of commerce (of which he was president); of the Wellington Choral society, of the Gas Co., the Patent Slip Co., the Trust Loan, and Investment Co.; the Wellington Club, the Jockey club and the New Zealand Times. On a stud farm at Island Bay he bred stock which he exhibited successfully at shows. He was an efficient militia officer; started the patriotic fund during the Crimean war and took the first steps to see that New Zealand was represented at the London Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862. He was a liberal member of the Church of England, attending St Peter's Church and building a church on his estate at Porangahau.

Hunter married a sister (who died 1868) of Major James Paul (q.v.). He died on 6 Aug 1880. (See SIR GEORGE HUNTER).

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward (p); N.Z. Times, 7, 13 Aug 1880; Evening Post, 3 Sep 1929. Portrait: Wellington City Council.

Reference: Volume 1, page 227

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