George Street (New Plymouth)

George Street in lower Vogeltown is named after one of New Plymouth's early residents, the successful businessman James Cartwright George.

Born in England in 1843, James George came to New Plymouth in 1857. An ardent entrepreneur, he trained as a cabinet maker then started his own business. After selling that business in 1887, George invested in the dairy industry. Along with Newton King and Richard Cock he formed the Crown Dairy Company. Initially building a factory in Tikorangi, the company expanded to become the largest dairy operator in Taranaki.

George also owned about 10 acres of land on the edge of town that he sub-divided during the affluent 1890s – this was the area around George Street. The earliest survey of the area was done in 1893, at his request. In later years the area has been further sub-divided. However, some of the original land plots still remain.

George was always active in the community. Of note was his presidency of the Chamber of Commerce and his election to various community boards. He was the first secretary of the board that designed and developed the New Plymouth Old Boys' cricket club grounds at Western Park.

It seems George held strong opinions and during a dispute in the early 1890s, was the victim of an assault by a fellow member of the Carrington Road Board. He was violently pushed in the back and abused on Devon Street, in front of the Government building. The case went to court and some years later he was also involved in a defamation case against the NZ Truth newspaper.

James George was active in affairs of the heart too. Married three times, he had at least nine children and some sources say as many as 11. So it's perhaps unsurprising that he died, following a prolonged illness, in March 1907.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.