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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Councillor George Clark-Walker

Councillor George Clark-Walker, of the Whangarei Borough Council, was elected to that body at the incorporation of the Borough in October, 1896. He had been previously a hard working member of the old road board, and hopes to continue his public services until the town is systematically drained, provided with the electric light, and has an efficient water supply. Mr. Clark-Walker was born in 1852 in Doncaster, and is a son of Mr. George Clark-Walker, formerly mayor of that town, an honour gained by four preceding generations of the family. He was educated at Victoria College, Jersey, was originally intended for the Navy and passed his examination for a midshipman. He arrived in Auckland in 1866 with his parents per ship “Chili,” and was for some time engaged at Whitford Park station under Mr. Joseph Osborne. Subsequently, when that gentleman established himself in business in Auckland, Mr. Clark-Walker remained in his employ. In 1876 he went to Whangarei and entered the service of the late Mr. Cafler, a French gentleman conducting a large business in Whangarei, which Mr. Clark-Walker managed till 1885, when he purchased it. Shortly afterwards a disastrous fire occurred that almost ruined him, leaving him to make a new beginning, and he then established himself as a native land and mining agent, in which he has succeeded in forming an excellent connection, especially with the Puhipuhi mines, in which he was at one time the largest shoreholder. Mr. Clark-Walker was captain commanding the Whangarei Rifle Volunteers in 1883 and with Capt. Storey arranged the defences of the town of Whangarei against a threatened attack by the Maoris in 1884. He is now captain of the Marsden Mounted Rifles. He is a master Mason and has been associated with the order since 1877, has been a vestryman of the Church of England, chairman of the Whangarei School Committee and School Committee Union for some years, and was for years chairman of the Whangarei Liceasing Committee. Mr. Clark-Walker is secretary of the Park Racing Club, Whangarei Turf Club and judge for other racing clubs, secretary of the East Divisional Committee of the North Auckland Racing Association, secretary of the Whangarei Farmers' Club, New Zealand Farmers' Union, and Whangarei School of Mines. He has been connected with the Philharmonic Society for some years as stage manager. Mr. Clark-Walker is also secretary to the North Auckland Athletic Association, of the Whangarei Gymnastic Club, Whangarei Caledonian Society, chairman of the North Auckland Rugby Union, and a great lover of all outdoor sports generally. In his younger days he was an amateur rider over “sticks,” and even now sometimes mounts the pig-skin to advantage, having only a year or two ago won the Ladies' Bracelet on “Voltigeur II” at Whangarei. He is married to a daughter of Mr. David Hay, of Remuera.

Councillor G. Clark-Walker.

Councillor G. Clark-Walker.