More Info →Harry Stanaway George

Object type:Image

Description: Harry George was a Levin Stock agent and Auctioneer, and prior to this had been an operator of a general store in Manakau. He was a keen sportsman and also bred and raced his own horses.

In 1905 he joined the staff of the New Zealand Loan and Merchantile Agency Ltd and moved into Levin from Manakau in 1913, and he stayed with the company for forty three years, residing most of his time at his home in Kent Street. He retired about 1937.

He married Margaret Keily and had five children, George (Athol), Lloyd, Joan Marie , Laura , and John George (Jack).

His wife Margaret, died in 1927 and his second wife, Gertrude, died in 1936.

Harrry George continued to work until the age of seventy two, and died on the 31st October 1954 aged seventy eight years.

His son Jack George was also an Auctioneer and spent ten years at the Levin Auctioneering Company Limited (across the road from the Old Levin Central School, now the Adventure Park) with his partner Mr George Hesp, where he specialised in Auctioneering, Valuing, was a Land Agent, and Insurance work. Prior to this he served in the Medical Corp during World War Two and was also a very early member of the Levin Amateur Swimming club. He was also a Surf Lifesaver when he was young.

He brought the Kent street house after his father died, this house was built by George Douglas in 1907 and was later demolished in the 1980's, the section now comprises the Kent Street Gardens. The Dome of the house was removed, a heritage order placed on it, and is still in existence on a property previously owned by Mr Gordon, a music Teacher, in Manakau. This sits directly behind Stephan's Restaurant at Manakau.

Jack George died suddenly on the 12th of January 1961, leaving a wife and three children.