TAYLOR, JOHN PARKIN (1812-75) was born at Treeton, near Rotherham, Yorkshire. He received a good liberal education, and had some years' mercantile experience in Liverpool and Havana and finally in Germany, where he studied languages and acquired a taste for German literature. Returning to England, he married, and was in business at Rotherham.

In 1849 Taylor brought his family to Nelson and became a sheep farmer. The prospects not being sufficiently encouraging, he took up (about 1853) a run in south Canterbury, later known as Elephant Hill. This he disposed of in 1855 in favour of run No. 28 at Otekaike, north Otago. He spent about a year exploring on horseback and on foot, and in 1856 he selected run 165, Waiau, in the Jacob's river district, which he purchased from C. W. Ligar. Having disposed of his northern interests, he drove his stock overland, at the same time sending the schooner Star to Nelson for his family and furniture. He reached his new home in July 1856, and erected a fine colonial homestead overlooking the estuary at Taylor's point. Here Taylor dispensed hospitality lavishly and became an important social influence in the district. He had considerable ability, business acumen and judgment, was cultured, urbane, and conciliatory.

In 1858 Taylor became a member of the General Assembly for the Dunedin Country district. He soon became identified with the separation movement in Southland, and his support of the new provinces act brought him into conflict with many of his constituents, so that he retired in 1860. In that year he was a member of the Otago waste lands board. In 1864, when the province was deeply involved financially, Taylor was chosen as the most suitable successor to Dr Menzies as Superintendent of the province. To this post he was elected in 1865, and again in 1867. He contrived to guide the troubled affairs of the province and to control public finances until the eve of the reunion with Otago in 1869. This task involved him in a dispute with his executive, which he took the responsibility of dismissing. For the last few months of his superintendency he was also member of the Provincial Council for Campbelltown.

After his retirement Taylor lived again at Riverton, of which town he was mayor (1872-73). He was called to the Legislative Council in 1865, and though for some years he was incapacitated from public duty he remained a member until his death (on 12 Aug 1875).

Southland P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Roberts, Southland; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Beattie; Riverton Record; Otago Daily Times, 29 Sep 1875; Southland Times, 13 Aug 1875. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 189

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