KERR, JOHN (1830-98) was born in the south of Scotland and came to Nelson with his parents in the Fifeshire (1842). His father, John Kerr (1801-63) was an agricultural labourer and, having taken up a farm at Waimea West, used one of the first ploughs in the settlement (25 May 1842). He represented Waimea West in the Provincial Council (1857-63). After leaving school, the son assisted on the farm, but eventually took service in the Government brig. From this he settled at Port Underwood and engaged in whaling there and at Tory Channel. Some years later he opened a store. Kerr also represented Waimea West in the Provincial Council (1873-75) and later was M.H.R. for Waimea (1885-87) and for Motueka (1887-90). He had many interests in sawmilling and landowning, was part owner of the Tamdale station, and owned the Lake run at Rotoiti, where he died on 3 May 1898.

Cycl. NZ, v; The Colonist, 10 May 1898.

Reference: Volume 1, page 248

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