SUTHERLAND, DONALD (? 1840-1919) was born at Wick, Scotland. He went to sea and was still a young man when he landed in New Zealand, taking part in the Maori war (1863-70) in the militia, the water transport and the Armed Constabulary. He served in all the campaigns. He was a sailor before the mast in the Government steamer, and he afterwards sought for gold on the Thames field and followed the same occupation in the back country of Westland. He was settled for a short time at Jamestown, Martin's Bay. From there he landed about 1877 at the head of Milford Sound, and continued prospecting for gold. Three years later he was joined by a younger man, John Mackay, who assisted him in his explorations and sealing for sustenance. Sutherland occupied for about 12 years a flat of six or seven acres, part of which he cultivated. In 1878 he explored the Arthur river and discovered Lake Ada. By means of a small boat he examined much of the broken coastline and in Nov 1880 discovered the highest falls in New Zealand (1904 feet) which were named after him. In 1890 he found McKinnon's pass (which he named Balloon pass, unaware that McKinnon had already discovered it), and camped on the site now known as Quintin's. About 1890 he married a widow and for many years they kept an accommodation house at Milford. Sutherland made a remarkable collection of natural curiosities and was a close student of the bird life of the Sounds. When he died (24 Oct 1919) his wife declined to leave the accommodation house. He had few relatives in New Zealand.

J. Mylne, Pictorial New Zealand; Southern Cross, 15 Feb 1930; J. Cowan in N.Z. Railways Magazine, Apr 1933 (p); Otago Daily Times, 6, 12, 29 Oct 1888, 28 Nov, 1 Dec 1919; Evening Star 29 Nov 1919.

Reference: Volume 2, page 178

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