George Stead
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
- ^ a b c Ogilvie, Gordon. "Stead, George Gatonby". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "Canterbury Jockey Club". The Star. No. 2848. 19 May 1877. p. 3. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "By Rail to the Racecourse". The Press. Vol. XXVIII, no. 3834. 5 November 1877. p. 3. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Avon". The Star. No. 7029. 6 December 1890. p. 4. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
- ^ Turbott, E. G. "Stead, Edgar Fraser". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- ^ "Obituary". Otago Daily Times. No. 16994. 3 May 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
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