MACARTHUR, DOUGLAS HASTINGS (1839-92) was born in Edinburgh and received a good education, including languages. Arriving in Nelson at the age of 18, he worked on a farm at Collingwood for two years and then visited with some success the diggings at Marlborough, Otago and the West Coast. Returning to Nelson, he took a farm at Takaka, on which a considerable amount of gold was obtained. When the Manchester block was settled Macarthur was appointed (1874) a sub-agent for the Emigrants' and Colonists' Aid Corporation, and when Halcombe relinquished the management of the Feilding settlement he was appointed to succeed him (1878). Macarthur was mayor of Feilding for three years, chairman of the Manawatu highway board, chairman of both Manawatu and Oroua counties, and captain of the Manchester Rifles. He was elected M.H.R. for Manawatu in 1884 (defeating Fraser), and in 1887 (defeating Stevens); and for Rangitikei in 1890 (defeating Arkwright). He was a man of considerable ability and force of character, and was offered a post in the Atkinson cabinet (1887) but differed on customs policy. The loans to local bodies act was introduced by him. Macarthur died on 24 May 1892.

Cycl. NZ, i (p); Rangitikei Advocate, 25 May 1892. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 4

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