SUTTER, JAMES HUTCHINSON (1818-1903) was born at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, and took to a seafaring life, becoming a master mariner at the age of 21. For 15 years he sailed the world in command of trading ships, including a China clipper. He was part owner and commander of a ship engaged in the Greenland whale fisheries. When he was able to leave the sea with a small competence he came to New Zealand in the Alpine (1859). Sutter was four years in business in Dunedin and on the goldfields, and in 1863 settled in Timaru, where he opened a general store, timber yard and commission agency. He prospered continuously, and was able to retire in 1880. In the following year he became M.H.R. for Gladstone, which he represented to 1887, when he retired. Sutter was a moderate conservative, but in his second term maintained his independence. He was a member of the Timaru road board, of the harbour board (chairman twice); was 13 years on the borough council, and six times mayor of Timaru. He was also chairman of the Permanent Building society for 14 years, of the cemetery board five years, and of the Timaru Gas Co. Sutter died on 13 Apr 1903.

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Andersen; Timaru Herald, 14 Apr 1903. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 178

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