George Snelson

His parents were James Snelson (coach manufacturer) and Mary (née Halford).

He left school when he was 15 to learn the trade of ironmonger and hardware merchant in Melton Mowbray.

[1] He was the mayor of Palmerston North's first council, elected unopposed on 9 August 1877.

Two councillors contested the mayoralty, and William Thomas Wood beat Fred Pirani 6 to 4.

[1][2] Snelson died at his home in Palmerston North on 31 October 1901,[9] and was buried in Terrace End Cemetery.

Plaque on the Palmerston North City Library, commemorating Snelson's first store
Cluny Park homestead in circa 1894