George Alfred Ginn 1874-1926
George was born 17 September, 1874 Queenstown Cork, Ireland, parents George William Ginn and Margaret Ginn (nee Hunt). He had 6 siblings, Anniss, Florence, Mary Adelaide, Mary Arabella, Albert and Laurence.
George was educated in Kent and was apprenticed to the tea trade at 16 with a prominent leading London Tea House. His outstanding ability deserved early recognition. 1896 he went to Ceylon as buyer for the firm of Leechman and Company, Columbo, where the experience gave him an insight into the tea business.
1905 with ill health he moved to Melbourne, Australia and took over the business of ‘Messrs, Copland, Mackie and Co’. 1908 he travelled to the new Mildura irrigation settlement in northwest Victoria to develop an orchard and a small dairy at Koorlong. His brother Laurie joined him and lived at Bennetook Avenue, Mildura. They developed the property but, it was unable to support them both. 5 April 1909 George left and went to Heidelberg (east of Melbourne).
Harrison’s and Crossfield Ltd, had extended their business to New Zealand, and George was chosen to control their interests.
1912 November 25th, George departed Melbourne on the ship ‘Manuka’ to Bluff, Southland, New Zealand. He met Ivy Fenwick Poppelwell on the ship and married 26 December 1914 at her home in Dunedin. Had one son, Russell Henry Ginn, 23 November, 1916, Wellington.
1916 George settled in Wellington as Director of now, ‘Harrison’s, Ramsay, Propriety, Ltd’ Importers of tea, coffee and other produce. George had a wide knowledge of Eastern trade, on which he was a recognized authority and his reputation as a tea expert was such that he was frequently consulted from all around NZ. He also represented the tea department of Parbury, Henty &Co, Sydney in NZ
1919-1920 They lived in Karori at View Road, then 22 Talavera Terrace, (an old double story house)
George made an extensive tour of the East including Australia, India, Dutch East Indies and other parts of the East in the interest of NZ importers. He then launched the firm of George A Ginn and Co. indenters of tea, produce, and merchandise, with head offices at 13 Grey Street, Wellington, and branches in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin 1922 tea was 6d to 9d per pound.
At the time of his death, he was a director of the Masonic Hall Ltd, the New Zealand Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wellesley Club, and the Wellington Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association.
George died 18 May 1926 at their home, 3 Park Terrace, Wellington (now Collina Terrace).
Cause of Death: Chronic Pulmonary TB for 20 years, Ashenia-10 days, Cardiac Failure 5 days. His funeral was held in St Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington at 9am. A Masonic service was conducted at the graveside.
George Alfred Ginn
Plot: Ch England 2/H/227
By Margot Stuart
Photo was taken in Wellington Harbour between 1903-1928.
1929 -The ship was then wrecked on Long Point, South Otago without loss of life when on passage Bluff to Dunedin.
