VALENTINE, HUGH SUTHERLAND (1848-1932) was born in Aberdeenshire, educated there and received his business training. He then went to the London office of McCulloch, Sellar and Co. and from that to the New Zealand Land Co., of which he became accountant. Having been appointed secretary of the New Zealand Agricultural Co., he rose to be manager and managing director, and eventually came to New Zealand in the capacity of inspector. On Driver resigning he was appointed general manager in New Zealand, a position he occupied for 15 years. Valentine had an interest in properties in south Otago, and for some years had a stock and station agency in Gore. He helped to promote the Gore dairy factory, and assisted in obtaining relief for the district from the Waimea plains railway rate. In 1887 he was elected M.H.R. for Waikaia and in 1890 for Tuapeka. Retiring in 1893, he contested Wallace in 1896 unsuccessfully. In 1896 he moved to Dunedin, where he spent some years auctioneering.

Valentine married (1888) Wilhelmina Margaret, daughter of Captain Linck, of the German navy. He was captain of the Gore Rifles and a staff officer, and was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Colonial Institute; a life member of the London Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Royal Agricultural Society. He died on 10 Sep 1932.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); N.Z.P.D., 23 Sep 1932; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 12 Sep 1932

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 210

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