RITCHIE, JOHN DOUGLAS (1853-1933), son of Alexander Ritchie, a farmer, was born at Cupar Angus, Scotland, and educated at the Cargill parish school and at the Perth Academy. Arriving in New Zealand in 1877 by the Halcione, he took up farming at Mount Royal, Otago, and in 1891 joined the public service as chief inspector of stock. In the following year he became Secretary for Agriculture. In 1909 he took charge of the Lands for Settlements department, and as land purchase officer acquired over 800,000 acres for the state. Retiring in 1927, he died in Wellington on 30 Jul 1933, survived by his wife, Margaret, daughter of James McKerrow (q.v.).

Cycl. NZ, i (p); Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924, 1932; Evening Post, 31 Jul 1933.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

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