SNELSON, GEORGE MATTHEW (1837-1901) was born at Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, educated there and brought up to the ironmongery trade. He landed in Wellington in 1861, and spent 10 years in the employ of E. W. Mills and Co. Then he settled in Palmerston North as an auctioneer and commission agent. He was the first chairman of the Manawatu road board and first mayor of Palmerston North (1877-80); and was again mayor in 1889-92 and 1901; two years a member of the county council and chairman of the hospital board, and five years on the Wanganui education board. Snelson was a leading freemason and oddfellow, and was the first captain of the Palmerston North Rifles. He twice stood for parliament. He married (1865) a daughter of Henry Buck (Wellington), and died on 31 Oct 1901.

Cycl. N.Z., i; Manawatu Standard, 1 Nov 1901.

Reference: Volume 2, page 160

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