Family
Born in McDuff Parish, Banffshire, Scotland he came to Wellington in the ship Duke of Roxburgh in 1840, with his wife, six daughters and four sons. Hunter's wife was the daughter of David Souter, Esq, Chief Factor to the Right Honorable James Duff, 4th Earl Fife.
He was described by Mary Swainson as having a bald head, circular spectacles and beaming eyes, and as exactly resembling Mr Pickwick of Charles Dickens The Pickwick Papers. He was one of the founders of the Pickwick Club in Wellington.
Shortly after his arrival, Hunter asked Samuel Parnell, a carpenter he had met on the ship, to build him a store, to which Parnell agreed, provided he only worked eight hours a day, the beginning of the Eight Hour Day in New Zealand. As there were only three carpenters in Wellington, Hunter reluctantly agreed to this condition.
Hunter's eldest son, George Hunter and his grandson Sir George Hunter were both Members of Parliament.
Read more about this topic: George Hunter (mayor)
Famous quotes containing the word family:
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