DUNCAN, JOHN (1848-1924) was born at Dundee, the son of Alexander Scott Duncan (d. 1886), an early settler of Marlborough, who established a sawmill at the Grove (1861), had a sheep run and represented Queen Charlotte Sound in the Provincial Council (1869-70). He introduced the first steam sawmilling plant in Marlborough. John Duncan came to Australia with his parents in 1851 and to Nelson in 1858, where he completed his education at Nelson College (1863-64). He worked at the Grove for some years, but later established a sash and door factory in Wanganui. Returning to the Grove on his father's retirement, he finished milling the bush and then started sheep farming. Duncan was chairman of the Pelorus road board, the Marlborough land board, the Picton hospital and charitable aid board, the Marlborough Land and Railway League and the Cook memorial committee. He was chairman also of the Marlborough education board and an original governor of the Marlborough College. In 1905 he contested the Wairau seat against C. H. Mills. He was elected in 1908, but defeated by R. McCallum at the following election. Duncan was a fine oarsman and president of the Marlborough Rowing Association. He died on 2 Feb 1924.

N.Z.P.D., 1 Jul 1924; Marlborough Express, 4 Feb 1924.

Reference: Volume 1, page 127

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