DUTHIE, JOHN (1841-1915) was born at Kintore, Aberdeenshire, and educated at the Aberdeen Grammar School. He was apprenticed to the ironmongery trade and travelled for some years for a Sheffield house. In 1863 he came to New Zealand by the Helvellyn and, after acting for a short time as traveller for an Auckland firm, he started in business in New Plymouth. Opening a branch in Wanganui two years later, he moved there and built up a good business. In 1879 he established the firm of John Duthie and Co. in Wellington. Duthie took a prominent part in public affairs. In Wanganui he was chairman of the harbour board. He was a member of the Wellington harbour board (1883-89) and chairman (1887-88); and in 1889 he was mayor of the city. He was president of the chamber of commerce and sometime chairman of directors of the Gear Meat and other companies. He represented the City of Wellington in Parliament (1890-96, 1898-99 and 1903-05). Being defeated in 1905 by C. H. Izard, he did not again contest a seat. In 1913 he was called to the Legislative Council by the Massey government, and he remained a member till his death (on 14 Oct 1915). Duthie in his early public life had Liberal leanings, which were evident in the debates on the arbitration and conciliation bill, but in later years he was a staunch Conservative.

N.Z.P.D., 19 May 1916; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Beauchamp; Taranaki News, 9 Dec 1890; Wanganui Weekly Herald, 29 Jun 1872.

Reference: Volume 1, page 128

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