BATHGATE, ALEXANDER (1845-1930) was born in Peebles, Scotland, the son of John Bathgate (q.v.), and was educated at the Peebles and Edinburgh schools, and Edinburgh University. Coming to New Zealand in 1863 he joined the Bank of Otago, of which his father was colonial manager, and later transferred to the Bank of New South Wales, being stationed in Hamilton (1866) and Cromwell (1868). In 1872 he was admitted a barrister and solicitor, and he practised his profession in Dunedin till 1909. In conjunction with Thomas Bracken (q.v.), Bathgate established the Saturday Advertiser (1875). Three years later he founded the Reserves Conservation or Amenities Society, which effected many improvements in Dunedin, and led to the formation of similar societies in other centres. He was a founder of the Dunedin Art Gallery, and president (1890-1922). In 1902-08 Bathgate filled with distinction the position of chairman of the industrial conciliation board of Otago and Southland. For some years he was president of the Otago Central Railway League, which promoted the railway to Cromwell, in whose fruit-growing future he had great faith. He was for many years chairman of Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., and of the Trustees, Executors and Agency Co. (1914-27). He was a director also of the Otago Daily Times Co., and of Donaghy's Rope and Twine Co. He was a founder and first president (1912-18) of the Otago Expansion League. As a literary man, Bathgate published several books, including Colonial Experiences, or Sketches of People and Places in the Province of Otago (Glasgow, 1874); Waitaruna, a Story of N.Z. Life (1881), Far South Fancies (1889), Plea for Establishment of Arbor Day (1891), The Legend of the Wandering Lake (1905). He was editor of Picturesque Dunedin (1890) and of Dunedin and Its Neighbourhood (1904). In 1873 he married Fanny Gibson, daughter of J. Turton (Manchester). He died on 9 Sep 1930.

Cycl. N.Z., iv; Bathgate, op. cit; Beattie, ii; The Press, 8 Jun 1907; Otago Witness, 13 Jun 1930.

Reference: Volume 1, page 40

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