EDIE, JOHN (1856-1928) was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, and came to New Zealand with his parents a few years later. He was educated at Lawrence and in 1873 joined the Survey department. He commenced field work in the Catlins river district, where he surveyed the Tawanui bush before the railway was constructed.

In 1885 he became engineer to the Tuapeka county council, a position he held till 1919, when he resigned to contest the Bruce seat against J. Allen. He won the seat the following year at a by-election, and held it at the following election against A. S. Malcolm. Standing in 1925 as a supporter of the National Party, he was defeated by F. Waite.

Edie farmed for many years in Tuapeka and was interested in a goldmining claim at Island Block. He was a member of the Lawrence borough council and for one term mayor, and was a member of the domain board and an elder of the Presbyterian church. For some years he was captain of the Tuapeka Mounted Rifles. He died on 7 Jun 1928.

N.Z.P.D., 3 Jul 1928; Otago Daily Times, 8 Jun 1928. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 130

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