McNAB, ALEXANDER (1809-90) was born in Argyllshire, Scotland. In 1839 he came to New South Wales, where he spent some years on the land at Twofold Bay. In 1855 he came to New Zealand and (in company with Peter McKellar) made a prospecting tour of Canterbury and Otago. As a result he took up the first run in Southland (Hokonui, which he sold in 1858); and shortly afterwards Knapdale, on the opposite side of the Mataura river, where he remained throughout his life. He brought his sheep from Port Phillip in 1856.

McNab was M.P.C. for Murihiku in the Otago Provincial Council (1858-61). When Southland became a separate province he represented Campbelltown (1864-65) in the Southland Council. He was a member of the executive, deputy-speaker and chairman of committees. For a short time in 1864 he was speaker. McNab was for some years on the county council. He made some early explorations in Otago, notably at Switzers and from Invercargill to the Lakes.

He married (1866) Janet McQueen (who died in 1876), niece of Peter Dalrymple. He died on 4 Aug 1890. (See ROBERT McNAB.)

Parltry Records; Roberts, Southland; Beattie ii; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Otago Daily Times, 5 Aug 1890.

Reference: Volume 2, page 23

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