DUTHIE, JOHN ALEXANDER (1853-1933) was the first white child born in the Tokomairiro district of Otago. He was educated at the Tokomairiro Grammar School, at Nelson College (1863-64) and Otago Boys' High School (1865-66). He entered the service of the Bank of Otago, transferred to the National Bank of New Zealand and at the age of 19 (in partnership with R. W. Capstick) established a land, stock and auctioneering business in Milton. On the dissolution of the partnership (1878) he continued in his own name. In 1917 he leased his premises to the National Mortgage and Agency Co., to which he afterwards sold. Duthie was a member of the Milton borough council for some years and mayor (1883-86 and 1908-10). He assisted to promote and was a director of the Fortification Coal Co., the Bruce Woollen Co. (1896), and the South Otago Freezing Co., and was for 30 years president of the Bruce Property Investment and Building Society. He was president of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club (1876-77). Duthie died on 5 May 1933.

Bruce Herald, 13 Apr 1931, 8 May 1933.

Reference: Volume 1, page 128

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