COWAN, CUTHBERT (1835-1927) was born at Ayr, Scotland, and educated at Ayr Academy and at Glasgow University. He joined the staff of the Union Bank of Scotland in his native town and afterwards spent several years in Glasgow. He came to New Zealand by the Burma in 1857 and, in partnership with Macandrew, purchased the Okaiterua run (Hokonui). Having disposed of this property, Cowan bought a farm of 2,400 acres (1876) on which he combined agriculture and breeding Romney sheep.

In 1863 he became a member of the Southland Provincial Council for Oreti, which he represented 1863-64 and 1866-67. He was a member of the executive in three administrations (1863-64). In 1869 he was elected to Parliament for Wallace, sitting for a few months. He contested the Hokonui seat in 1881; won in 1884 and held it until 1890. He was a consistent opponent of the Liberal party, and contested Awarua against Ward in 1896. A strenuous advocate of Southland rights, he strongly supported the legislation under which the government purchased the Waimea plains and other local railways. He also supported the revaluation of land act which saved many deferred payment settlers from abandoning their holdings. He was a member of the first Southland county council, and for many years of the land board.

Cowan took a great interest in refrigeration and was an original director and chairman of the Southland Frozen Meat Co. (1882-1922). He represented New Zealand at the intercolonial stock conference in Melbourne in 1889. He married (1869) a daughter of the Rev George Wallace (Dumfries). His death occurred on 4 Apr 1927.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Hansard, 24 Jun 1927; Southland Times, 17 May 1897. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 106

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