Biography

Mr George Munro was a Perthshire man, who arrived at Port Chalmers with his wife and two children on the Silistria in January 1862 as government assisted immigrants.

A sculptor and monumental mason, he conducted a large business in Moray Place. According to his obituary in the Otago Daily Times of 10th March 1898, specimens of his work may be seen from the Bluff to the Bay of Islands.

However, two notable examples of his work may be seen in Dunedin. One is the ornate stone facade of the former Wains Hotel (now the Mercure). The other is the large pedestal of Peterhead granite, which supports the statue of the poet Robert Burns in the Octagon.

George Munro was an enthusiastic angler and an ardent bowler, and was president of the St Clair bowling club. As well as conducting his large business, he was involved in public affairs, and in 1883 was elected to the Dunedin City Council, where he served for a term. Also a member of the Caversham Borough Council, he was one of those instrumental in fundraising for more accommodation and facilities for bathers. In the 1893 parliamentary elections he stood as candidate for the Caversham electorate. Although unsuccessful in this, he remained interested in local body affairs as a member of the Caversham Borough Council.

He died on 6th March, 1898, at the age of 62 years, leaving his wife and a family of two sons and six daughters.