McLACHLAN, JOHN (1840-1915) was born at Ardrossan, Ayrshire, and brought up to his father's trade as a plasterer. In 1863 he came to Lyttelton in the Sebastopol, and after following his trade for three years he purchased land at Ellesmere, where he farmed successfully and took a prominent part in local affairs. He was a member of the Ellesmere road board and school committee for many years, and contested a seat in the Provincial Council against Jollie. He three times contested parliamentary elections (against Sir John Hall, E. Richardson, E. J. Lee and E. Wakefield), and in 1893 was returned for Ashburton against J. C. Wason (q.v.). Again standing as a Liberal, he was defeated in 1896 by E. G. Wright, but regained the seat in 1899 and held it till 1908, defeating in turn C. J. Harper and J. Studholme (twice). He retired in 1908. He was a fluent, though not impressive, speaker, and in 1896 effectively stonewalled the licensing bill. McLachlan was a member of the Canterbury land board, the Ellesmere cemetery board and the general committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canterbury. He was a prominent freemason (being master and grand master, E.C.). He married Miss Robb (Perthshire), and died on 11 Sep 1915.

N.Z.P.D., 14 Sep 1915; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 19

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