GEORGE, SEYMOUR THORNE (1851-1922) was the son of Lieut-colonel George Thorne George (of the 75th regiment and 4th Hussars). He was educated at Cheltenham College for the Royal Engineers, but owing to an accident at football abandoned his studies and entered the office of a civil engineer in London. In 1869, on the advice of Sir George Grey, a friend of his father, he came to New Zealand, and for some years managed Grey's estate at Kawau Island. In 1872 he married Annie Maria Matthews, niece of Grey.

In 1878 George was elected M.H.R. for Hokitika, and at the general election of 1879 he gained the Rodney seat, which he represented until 1884, being much of the time chief Liberal whip. He was mayor of Parnell for two years and unsuccessfully contested the seat in Parliament. In 1903 George was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death (on 2 Jul 1922). He was a director of several Auckland companies, including the New Zealand Insurance Co. (chairman 1905-08, 1911-17), the Waihi Goldmining Co. (of which he was an original shareholder) and the Devonport Steam Ferry Co.

Parltry Record; N.Z. Herald, 3 Jul 1922. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 162

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