George Henry Moore (runholder)

George Henry Moore (12 October 1812 – 7 July 1905), derogatorily known as Scabby Moore, was a Manx settler of New Zealand and runholder.

George Henry Moore
Born(1812-10-12)12 October 1812
Billown Mansion, Isle of Man
Died7 July 1905(1905-07-07) (aged 92)
Christchurch, New Zealand
NationalityManx
Occupationrunholder
Spouse
Anne Kermode
​
(m. 1839)​
Children5 incl. Annie

Early life

Moore was born at Billown Mansion near Castletown, Isle of Man on 12 October 1812. In about 1830, he emigrated to Tasmania with his friend Robert Kermode and then worked on Mona Vale Station in Tasmania owned by William Kermode (Robert's father). Moore married Anne Kermode, the owner's daughter. He was later the owner of Glenmark Station north of Waipara, which for a time was New Zealand's largest sheep run.[1]

Settling New Zealand

Moore went to New Zealand in 1853 to prospect for land. With funds put up by Robert Kermode, he purchased large landholdings in North Canterbury (including Glenmark). Upon his return to Tasmania, a company was set up under the name Moore and Kermode, with Moore to be the manager and William Moore (his son), Robert Kermode, and Dr John Lillie. The partnership also bought land in mid-Canterbury (Wakanui, Rokeby, and Longbeach) in the Ashburton District, but this had been sold again by the mid-1870s.[1]

Heritage New Zealand has four separate listings on Glenmark Station. Moore had a mansion constructed for him, which took seven years to build. It was finished in 1888, but burned out on 23 January 1891.[2][3] The two-storey house had cost around £15,000 to build and the furniture was valued at around £10,000; there was no insurance.[4] The ruins have a Category II classification.[5] The horse stables, built of concrete in ca. 1881 for up to 50 horses, gave expression to his wealth. The stables are of considerable technological importance (due to the early use of concrete) and have a Category I listing.[6] The Glenmark Station Lodge is listed as a Category II building and still in use.[7] The Station Manager's House is disused these days and registered as Category II.[8]

Death

Moore died at Christchurch in 1905, having been blind for several years.[1] With her inheritance, his daughter purchased a property in Christchurch, which she renamed Mona Vale after her mother's property.[9]

  • Photo gallery
  • Ruins of the mansion
    Ruins of the mansion
  • Station Manager's House
    Station Manager's House
  • Glenmark Station Stables
    Glenmark Station Stables
  • Station Lodge
    Station Lodge

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glenmark Station.
  1. Gardner, W. J. "Moore, George Henry – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  2. "Glenmark". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  3. "Fires". The Star. No. 7071. 24 January 1891. p. 4. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  4. "Glenmark Fire". Volume XLVIII, Issue 7770, 26 January 1891. p. 6. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  5. "Glenmark – ruins of original house". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  6. "Glenmark Station Stables". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  7. "Glenmark Station Lodge". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  8. "Glenmark Station Manager's House". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  9. "Unsung Heroines – Annie Quayle Townend". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
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