Public Service
Clark took little interest in party politics but was an opponent of protectionism and served on a royal commission on the coal trade (1866–1871).
He was an active citizen in Merthyr Tudful, his offices and duties including:
- Chair of:
- Board of Guardians;
- Board of Health;
- Burial board; and
- School board, working to extend the schools founded by the Guests;
- Supporting further places of worship, including the building of St. Mary's Welsh Church;
- Command, as lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd (Dowlais) corps, Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers;
- Magistrate;
- High Sheriff of Glamorgan (1868).
However, he opposed incorporation of Merthyr Tudful as he believed it would harm the Dowlais business interests.
Clark's combined medical and engineering knowledge led to a general interest in public health. He was retained by the General Board of Health and worked on analysing the sanitary condition of towns and villages countrywide.
Read more about this topic: G. T. Clark
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