George Stead

George Stead in ca 1901

George Gatonby Stead (1841–1908) was a notable New Zealand grain merchant, racehorse owner and breeder, businessman. He was born in London, England in 1841.[1]

His main interest were race horses, and he was honorary secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club from 1873 for over 30 years.[1] In 1877, he promoted the idea of having the Riccarton Racecourse Siding built to make the horse racing ground more accessible, and to increase turnover.[2] The line opened in November 1877.[3]

He stood for Parliament in the Avon electorate in the 1890 election and was defeated by the incumbent, Edwin Blake.[4] It was the only time that Stead stood for Parliament.[1]

The ornithologist Edgar Stead was his son.[5] Alfred Lee Smith was a business partner in Dunedin and had a stake in the grain merchant firm Royse, Stead and Co.[6]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Ogilvie, Gordon. "Stead, George Gatonby". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Canterbury Jockey Club". The Star (2848). 19 May 1877. p. 3. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "By Rail to the Racecourse". The Press. XXVIII (3834). 5 November 1877. p. 3. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Avon". The Star (7029). 6 December 1890. p. 4. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  5. ↑ Turbott, E. G. "Stead, Edgar Fraser". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Obituary". Otago Daily Times (16994). 3 May 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 7 April 2016.


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