George Fell (mayor)

George Fell
6th Mayor of Blenheim
In office
1877–1879
Preceded byJames Edward Hodson
Succeeded byFrederick Thomas Farmar
Personal details
Born
Alfred George Fell

(1848-08-12)12 August 1848
Nelson, New Zealand
Died6 February 1917(1917-02-06) (aged 68)
Wellington, New Zealand
Resting placeKarori Cemetery
Parent
RelativesCharles Fell (brother)
Arthur Fell (brother)
Walter Fell (brother)
Alfred Fell (nephew)
William Richmond Fell (nephew)
Henry Seymour (grandfather)

Alfred George Fell (12 August 1848 – 6 February 1917) was a New Zealand businessman who served as the sixth mayor of Blenheim.

Fell was born in Nelson in 1848. Alfred Fell (1817–1871), an early settler in Nelson, was his father.[1] Charles, Arthur, and Walter Fell were brothers. The Fell family left for England in January 1859 to provide good education for their by then seven children.[2] George Fell was ten when he left New Zealand. He was one of three sons who returned to New Zealand permanently (the others were Charles and Walter).[2][3]

George Fell returned to New Zealand in 1871 together with his brother Henry, and they joined the Blenheim auctioneer Henry Dodson[4] in a business partnership.[5] Soon after his arrival, he was elected as one of the wardens of the Anglican Church of the Nativity.[6] Henry Fell soon returned to England and became a minister of the Church.[2] George Fell stood for election as mayor of Blenheim in December 1876 and was successful over Frederick John Litchfield.[7][8]

Fell married Alice Budge, daughter of surveyor William Budge, on 18 January 1873 at the Church of the Nativity in Blenheim.[9] He was in business in Blenheim for many years and then sold his company to Levin and Co. He then ran a malthouse in Picton.[1] In November 1886, Fell was the only candidate for mayor of Picton and declared elected unopposed,[10] which was the start of unopposed returns for him in 1887,[11] 1888,[12] 1889, and 1890.[13]

Fell died in Hobson Street, Wellington, on 6 February 1917,[14] and was buried in Karori Cemetery.[15]

  1. ^ a b Scholefield, Guy, ed. (1940). A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : A–L (PDF). Vol. I. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs. p. 244.
  2. ^ a b c "Sunnyside and the Fells". The Prow. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Ex-mayors". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts). Vol. 5. Christchurch: Cyclopedia Company. 1906. p. 318. ISBN 0908797044.
  4. ^ "Auctions". Marlborough Express. Vol. VI, no. 281. 25 February 1871. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Local and general news". Marlborough Express. Vol. VI, no. 290. 29 April 1871. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Local and general news". Marlborough Express. Vol. VI, no. 295. 3 June 1871. p. 4. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Election of mayor". Marlborough Express. Vol. XI, no. 874. 9 December 1876. p. 4. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Untitled". Marlborough Express. Vol. XI, no. 877. 20 December 1876. p. 5. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Married". Marlborough Express. Vol. 8, no. 467. 22 January 1873. p. 2. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Borough of Picton". Marlborough Press. Vol. XXVI, no. 1819. 16 November 1886. p. 2. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  11. ^ "The Marlborough Times". Marlborough Daily Times. Vol. X, no. 139. 19 November 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Local and general news". Marlborough Express. Vol. XXIV, no. 258. 20 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Local and general news". Marlborough Express. Vol. XXVI, no. 309. 14 November 1890. p. 2. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Deaths". The Dominion. Vol. 10, no. 3000. 10 February 1917. p. 1. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Alfred George Fell". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 25 November 2022.