WEMYSS, JAMES BALFOUR, was a son of Major James Wemyss (1799-1871), of Wemyss Hall, Fifeshire. He came to Canterbury in the Agra (1852), held a portion of the Broadlands run (1851-54), and in 1853 took up the Rokeby run. About 1854 he moved to Nelson, and took up land at the Wairau. He represented Wairau in the Nelson Provincial Council (1857-59) and was a member of the executive (1859-62). He was elected to Parliament for Nelson Suburbs (1861), but resigned before the session. After the separation of Marlborough he represented Wairau Valley in the Marlborough Provincial Council (1865-69). In 1865 he was appointed commissioner of crown lands, and he held this post till 1871, and was in office as provincial secretary almost continuously from 1868 to 1871. He lived in Nelson until 1871, when he inherited Wemyss Castle, and returned to Scotland.

Nelson and Marlborough P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Buick, Marlborough; Acland; Marlborough Express, 13 Dec 1871.

Reference: Volume 2, page 244

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