DUNCAN, GEORGE (1826-79) was born in Scotland and educated there. He arrived in Otago by the Mooltan (1849) and was a progressive and successful farmer and businessman. He erected a flourmill at Water of Leith (1859) and brought out modern machinery for it in 1866. He also at that time established a successful brewery in Dunedin. Duncan was a member of the town board (1860). He was elected to represent North Harbour in the Provincial Council in 1863 and was a member of the executive in that year. He retired early the following year to visit Scotland. Returning in 1866, Duncan was elected in 1867 to represent the City of Dunedin and he was in the executive in 1867-68, 1869-71 and 1871. Part of the time he was secretary for public works and part provincial treasurer. He was for six years a member of the administration and was the leading spirit in the exploration of the West Coast of Otago.

In 1873 he resigned to live in California, where his death occurred on 13 Jan 1879.

Otago P.C. Proc.; Otago Daily Times, 12 Jul 1873, 19 Feb 1879.

Reference: Volume 1, page 127

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