DOUGLAS, JOHN (1829-1903) was born in Perthshire, the son of a Strathmore farmer. He gained some knowledge of business and estate management in a lawyer's and factor's office and after a short experience in a commercial office came to New Zealand in 1862 as managing partner for certain investors and agent for others. In partnership with F. G. Alderson he acquired Mount Royal and Waihao Downs and many other estates, including Clydevale, Edendale, Kurow, Kawarau, Deep Dell and Hakataramea. Several of these were taken over in 1867 by the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., of which he was agent and manager till 1870, after which he carried on his own estates. In 1874 he took up land between Carnarvon and Oroua, in the North Island.

Douglas was a progressive farmer who introduced machinery whenever possible and paid great attention to his stock and pastures. He was a pioneer of the frozen meat industry. In 1871 he contested the Waihemo seat in the Provincial Council against J. McKenzie (q.v.), but he took no further part in politics. In 1863 Douglas married a daughter (d. 1864) of Thomas Rattray, of Brewlands, Perthshire, and later a daughter of David Stark, of Dunedin. He died on 12 Aug 1903.

Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Od G Wilson; Otago Daily Times, 17 Aug 1903.

Reference: Volume 1, page 126

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