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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. George Allen

Mr. George Allen, who occupied the Mayoral Chair of the Capital City from the 9th to the 25th of May, 1879, has had an eventful and interesting career. Few men have “roughed it,” as he did in the early days of colonization, and yet at the age of eighty-one he has pulled through a severe illness and regained a strength seldom met with in men of his age. The picture given herewith is from a photograph taken ten years ago, but it is almost as true to life now as then, and it will be recognised by thousands as that of the genial old gentleman who still pops into town almost every day. Mr. Allen was born on the 1st of November, 1814, at Deal, in Kent, and he was brought up to the principal industry of that ancient town—that of boat-building. His father, also Mr. George Allen, was a master boat-builder, and the variety of crafts built in his yards included whaleboats, luggers, lifeboats, and other vessels, such as are used for the assistance of ships in the neighbourhood of the adjacent Goodwin Sands. Mr. Allen's earlier education was gained in his native town; but while quite a lad he spent some time at school in Calais. Returning to Deal, he was apprenticed with his father for the old-fashioned term of seven years; and the thorough knowledge of his trade thus gained was of great use to him in after life. Not long after the completion of his apprenticeship, his father having in the meantime died at the early age of forty, leaving his widow fairly provided for, young George, who was the eldest son, became dissatisfied with his lot, and rather hastily decided to accept an engagement with the South Australian Company to build boats and small vessels for the colony then about to be formed. Accordingly in April, 1836, he made one of a number who left the Old World for the New in a brig of 160 tons called the “Emma,” Captain Nelson. The “Emma” took six months to reach Kangaroo Island, at the south of Spencer's Gulf, and a further period of two months was spent awaiting the arrival of the first Governor, Captain Hindmarsh. Here Mr Allen spent a year at his trade and then begged off to join the ship “Solway,” bound for Home, as carpenter. His hopes, however, were disappointed, for the ship was wrecked in Encounter Bay, and all hands had to hang on to the rigging till daylight, when they were relieved from their perilous position. Returning to Kangaroo Island, Mr. Allen joined the ship “Sarah and Elizabeth,” which was to sail for England after taking in oil at Kangaroo Island, and filling up with wool from Van Diemen's Land. This ship, however, was promptly condemned, and the would-be ship's carpenter stayed a short time at Hobart Town, working at his trade, and earning by piecework about twelve to fifteen shillings per day. Meeting with no opportunity of securing a Home ship there, he worked his way to Sydney, where, after working for a while ashore he considered himself fortunate in obtaining the carpentership of the “Orontes,” homeward bound via Torres Strait, Port Essington, and the East Indies. This was toward the end of 1838, and though the heat was intense, the young carpenter was in high spirits as every day brought him nearer the Old Land where he was sure of a royal welcome from his widowed mother, and from one other of the same town—one who has since then been the beloved mother of his nine children, and who, after nearly fifty years of Mr. George Allen happy wedded life, was a few years ago laid to rest in the Sydney Street Cemetery. On the 20th of December, having safely navigated the straits, and having left Port Essington, the “Orontes” stuck upon an unknown rock, and after backing off was found to be much damaged, and was filling so rapidly that it was all her captain and crew could do to get her a distance of six miles and run her aground at the entrance of Port Essington. To describe all the anxiety and discomfort endured by the ship-wrecked crew during the ensuing six months of enforced exile in a wild country infested with marauding blacks, and under the almost perpendicular rays of a tropical sun, would need much more space than can be here given. Suffice it to say that even there Mr. Allen found his trade most useful, for H.M.S. “Alligator” was at Port Essington where a new settlement was being formed. Mr Allen was able to repair the captain's galley, which had been reported as done for by the “Alligator's” carpenter. For this and other services rendered, the captain promised that his newly-found workman should be well paid. The middle of 1839 found the ship-wrecked crew back in Sydney, and from thence Mr. Allen came over to this Colony in the brig “Adelaide.” After visiting the Bay of Islands, the “Adelaide” called in at what is now the Auckland Harbour, going as far up the Waitemata as the island rock known as The Watchman. This was nearly twelve months before the “Platina” went there with Governor Hobson's house, for Mr. Allen was back in Adelaide before Christmas, 1839. By September of the next year Mr. Allen had reached his native town, after having started from Launceston via the Cape of Good Hope, and being blown back by persistent contrary winds, finally taking the colder route, via Cape Horn. Even this page 289 last was a perilous journey, for, meeting with terrible weather off the Horn, their ship, the brig “Adelaide,” was so strained that the crew had to “carry her home in their arms,” as the sailors say when almost incessant pumping is needed. Thus, after four-and-a-half years of mingled good and ill fortune the young adventure hunter regsined the home of his youth, satisfied that he had been well punished for his haste in leaving it. Presenting himself in due course at the Admiralty Office, Somerset House, he found that Captain Sir Gordon Bremer, of the “Alligator” had been as good as his word, for nearly fifty pounds' worth of crisp, clean Bank of England notes were waiting for him, which added agreeably to the little “stocking” which notwithstanding all the pullbacks, he had been able to accumulate. Mr Allen remained five months in England, and married Miss Jane Elizabeth Paul, who, as Mrs. George Allen, was afterwards so well known in Wellington. In June, 1841, the young couple arrived in Wellington by the “Catherine Stuart-Forbes,” and Mr. Allen at once established himself as a boat-builder, building boats of all kinds, though principally for the whaling community. In the quarter century which followed he made a snug competence, and in 1866 he retired from business and bought a farm at the Waiwetu, Lower Hutt. Here he led a farmer's life for the next eight years, when he came back to town, leaving the farm in the occupation of his son, Mr. T. P. Aller, the well known Hutt Borough Councillor. The whole family of children survive, the eldest being the widow of the late Mr. William Seed. The grandchildren are numerous, and there are a few great-grandchildren. Since his retirement from the boat-building and farming, Mr. Allen has devoted a good portion of his time to the public service. As a councillor and a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, he has been a useful citizen. But it was as a Provincial Councillor that Mr. George Allen rendered the most valuable and enduring services. He was elected to represent the City of Wellington in 1856, and served his full term of five years. His nautical abilities and experience were soon brought into play, and were highly appreciated by the superintendent, Dr. Featherston, and the Provincial Executive. It was mainly on the recommendation of Mr. Allen that the piles on the Wellington Wharf were coppered, the value of which is now well assured, for after thirty-five years' wear they are still well preserved. Mr. Allen was one of the committee which decided upon the position of the Queen's Wharf. The subject of this sketch has been intimately connected with mercantile institutions. For some years and until quite recently he was the managing director of the Wellington Trust Loan and Investment Company. There are few men for whom the public have a warmer feeling, and certainly few deserve to be more highly esteemed and respected.