Sir George Alan Chapman

Biography

BiographyThe August 1, 1973 'Leader' printed a v biography after he was s elected president of the National Party; much of what follows comes from there. There is also a profile in the October 16, 1974 'Leader' and a later on on June 22, 1982.

Born, Trentham Camp.
Trentham School.
Hutt Valley High School.
Accountancy at Victoria University, studied at night.
Qualified as accountant, 1947, 20.
Offered partnership in Upper Hutt firm, 1948.
Joined National Party and Young Nationals, 1948.
Borough Treasurer for a few months.
Married, 1950.
Candidate for office, 25.
Elected to borough council 1952-1955, topping poll; deputy mayor, 1953-1955.
Partner, Saunders, retired, 1956 (?); new partner Ian Ross. resigned from council, because of pressure of business.
Founding member, Upper Hutt Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman, Heretaunga National electoral campaign committee, 1960.
1964, on Dominion Council of the National party.
October 1964; a director of Property Securities Limited, sponsored by New Zealand United Corporation; Chapman Securities owned Chapmabn House and Merton and Whakatiki Shopping Centres.
Jan 1966; Chapman Investments involved in sale of Upper Hutt Petrol Supplies land, corner of Main and Princes streets, to Commercial Bank of Australia.
October 1965; new director of Paramount Housing Estates, Christchurch (chairman T N Gibbs, also chairman of Hazelwoods); already chairman of Chapman Investments, and partner in Chapman, Ross & Co., accountants.
1966; National Party Wellington division president.
1968; appointed to Board of the Bank of New Zealand by National Government; reappointed 1971, and in 1974 by Labour government.
1968; F P A N Z (Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Accountants)

1971; candidate for president of the party; defeated.
1973; successful; held post for nine years.
He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1982 for his contribution to politics and community affairs. The June 22 'Leader'printed a picture of the new knight and his lady; he was leaving for Tokyo and the founding of a Paciic Democratic Union of regional centre-right parties; New Zealand National, Australian Liberal, and Japanese Liberal Democratic. He would be standing down from the party presidency in July, after a record nine years.

His book, 'The Years of Lightning', was published in October 1980; Whitcoulls offered autographed copies at $10.95 - regular price $13.95 on October 14. Last edited by: Don McLeod