A true sport and a gentleman

Born in 1842 at Norwood, Surrey, England. His father John was both a linen draper and house & estate agent. George served his apprenticeship as a pharmacist in Wolverhampton and then in the wholesale trade in London before coming to New Zealand in 1864. He started a pharmacy in Hokitika and married Fanny Holliday in 1873. Together they had six children. (see this article from the Friends of Karori Cemetery about Fanny’s brother Robert https://friendsofkaroricemetery.co.nz/robert-holliday/)

In 1880 George moved the family to Wellington where he took over the long-established business of E. Plummer on Lambton Quay. Advertisements followed: ‘All prescriptions and family recipes previously made up at this establishment can still be obtained, as the books, &c., are all in my possession’. With Mr Plummer having returned to England, in 1881 George also took his place as a councillor at the Pharmaceutical Society. He also took over the role of ‘Chemist to his excellency the Governor’.

Advertisement, Evening Post 11 October 1881

Those with minor injuries called into his Pharmacy for assistance. In 1887 George Hausmann was struck by a sheep pen at Kaiwarra station and received a nasty cut over his ear. His injury was ‘promptly attended to’ at Mr Mee’s shop. In 1889 it was Mr G. S. Cooper who after being knocked down by a horse outside government buildings called on Mr Mee to recover from his shaking before heading home.

Riseley, Ralph, active 1993. Riseley, Ralph, fl 1993 : Photograph of George Mee's pharmacy, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Ref: PAColl-3288. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23186938

By 1891, George had moved to new premises on the corner of Mason’s steps and Lambton Quay. The building was described as two-storeys high, constructed of brick and concrete, and is as fireproof as a building can possibly be. The architect was William Chatfield and the building was designed in the Italian style.

Mr Mee’s shop had bold plate glass windows and the doorstep laid with encaustic tiles. The interior was fitted with red cedar shop display cases. The front of the counter was covered with Chatfield’s patent linoleum. There was a private consulting room and behind that a laboratory with a concrete floor.

Beyond the laboratory was a large bulk store with a fire proof door. This was constructed over two storey’s as George supplied the pharmaceutical trade in Wellington. Adjoining that was an acid store. The top storey was occupied by Mr Brookfield the dentist. There was also a suite of apartments for Mr Mee’s resident assistant.

New Zealand Pharmacy Board conference 1900. Back Row - G. W. Wilton (Wellington), R. D. Hanlon (Wellington), E. W. Glesen (Wellington). J. W. Haslett (Auckland), Thomas Johnstone (Dunedin) Sitting - A. Bagley (Dunedin), George Bonnington (Christchurch), George Mee (Wellington), Graves Aicken (Auckland), T. H. Hustwick (Wellington), E. C. Skog. Published in The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal, 21 April 1900, p.738. Courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-19000421-0738-02

By 1900, George was employing six men in his pharmacy, including three registered pharmacists. The biggest part of his trade was dispensing but he also produced a good number of tinctures and ointments. At this time he was also chairman of the Terrace School Committee and member of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club. He retired from the Pharmaceutical Board in 1903 and from his business in 1906 when his son Aubrey took over.

Fanny died on 3rd May 1915 and their youngest daughter Hilda died on 15th August at her father’s residence on The Terrace. George died on 11th March 1920. He was in his 78th year. His obituary read ‘The late Mr Mee was a true sport and a gentleman’. George was buried with Fanny and Hilda. His estate worth £25,000.

Karori Cemetery Plot: *Ch Eng 2/D/1

George Mee

A true sport and a gentleman

Catherine Lucy Innes

Arthur Evans

Wellington Boots