George Snelson
George Matthew Snelson was the first Mayor of Palmerston North and is considered Palmerston North's founding father. He was an ironmonger, a storekeeper and a community leader.
Early life
Snelson was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England, on 22 November 1837. His parents were James Snelson and Mary. He left school when he was 15 to learn the trade of ironmonger and hardware merchant in Melton Mowbray. At age 19, he moved to Bedford for new employment.He came to New Zealand on 21 February 1863 aboard the Earl of Windsor, arriving in Wellington.
He married Louisa Matilda on 6 July 1865. For a time, he owned the Cluny Park homestead on Rangitikei Line.
Political activity
Mayor of Palmerston North
Snelson was elected mayor seven times. He and his wife are regarded as the father and the mother of Palmerston North. He was the mayor of Palmerston North's first council, elected unopposed on 9 August 1877. The first council had nine members. He served until 1879.He was again elected in 1883–1884, and then 1889–1892. He died during his seventh term in office in 1901.
On 8 November 1901, the borough councillors elected a new mayor. Two councillors contested the mayoralty, and William Thomas Wood beat Fred Pirani 6 to 4. Councillor Pirani resigned from his seat afterwards on the grounds that he had been misled.