McKERROW, JAMES (1834-1919), born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and educated at Kilmarnock Academy and Glasgow University, arrived in New Zealand in 1859, and joined the Otago survey department. For two years (1861-63) he conducted exploratory reconnaissance surveys in Otago lake districts. He was appointed geodesical surveyor and inspector of surveys in Otago (1863); chief surveyor of Otago (1873); assistant surveyor-general of New Zealand (1877); and Surveyor-general and Secretary of Lands and Mines (1879).

McKerrow observed the transit of Venus in 1882, and in 1885 was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. For six years he was chief commissioner of railways (1889-95), and he retired from the Government service in 1901. He was appointed chairman of the land purchase board (1895) and in 1905 presided over the land commission. He died on 30 Jun 1919.

App. H.R., pass.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Jourdain; Ross; Baker; The Press, 13 Mar 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 18

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