Friends of Karori Cemetery - the story of George Glen
George Forrest Glen – keeper of the Botanic Gardens.
George was born in Haddington, Scotland in 1849 to William (an agricultural labourer) and his wife Isabella Forrest. He commenced his career in the ’70s as an apprentice gardener in the gardens of the Marquis of Tweeddale at Haddington. He then spent time working in the gardens of the Viceroy of Ireland (Earl of Wemyss), Earl Kinnoul and Earl Fitzwilliam. It was his work at Wentworth that attracted the notice of Princess Mary of Teck and subsequently he produced designs for her own gardens.
George came with his family to New Zealand in the late 1890s and began farming in the Hutt Valley. But he was soon lured back to gardening and replaced George Gibb as keeper of the Botanic Gardens in 1901, seeing out forty other applicants. In 1904 he was appointed superintendent of Baths and Reserves.
George made a number of changes to the garden. His vision was to create a ‘horticultural zoo’. He also established popular bedding displays and events. The huge project of filling and developing the Anderson Park gully as a recreation reserve was also commenced.
Over his career he had the oversight of Newtown Park, parts of the Town Belt, the Basin Reserve, the cemeteries, Kelburn Park and other open city spaces.
With the increasing workload, George’s health became affected and he resigned in 1918. The council granted him 6 months leave of absence in recognition of ‘his long and valued services to this city in respect to its parks and gardens’.
George died in 1924 aged 75. His wife Elizabeth (nee Carter) died in 1942 aged 88.
Plot Public 2/A/54
All images courtesy of Wellington Recollect.
if you would like to read more stories like this, please follow us on Facebook or the Stories section of our website:
friendsofkaroricemetery.co.nz...
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!
Share your summer photos! 📷
Taken some beautiful snaps lately? Whether it's rainbows, sunsets or a beautiful summer's day, we'd love you to share the joy with us.
Share a photo in the comments below
Out with the Old, In with the Confusing!
I have hands but can’t clap.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.