BRODIE, ALEXANDER (1831-94) was born at Leith, Scotland, and as a young man joined the Royal Engineers. After a course of study he was sent to Canada and received special thanks from the War Office for assisting to save the vessel on the voyage. Arriving in New Zealand in 1863, he was attached to the troops as engineer and constructed the military telegraph line, the first in the colony, which he operated throughout the war. He then brought out his family and for many years was one of the most prominent residents on the Thames goldfields. For some time he managed the Criterion battery (Waiotahi). He was mayor of Thames (1888) and chairman of the Thames county council. Brodie was a man of considerable administrative ability and an authority on mine drainage. He contested the parliamentary seat (1881). Brodie died on 17 Apr 1894.

Weston; N.Z. Herald, 20 Apr 1894; Thames Star, 25 Jul 1927 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 64

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