REID, JOHN (1835-1912), who was born near Stirling, Scotland, entered commercial life in Glasgow. In 1853 he emigrated to Australia, and 10 years later crossed to New Zealand. He settled in 1865 on the Elderslie estate in north Otago, the area of which he increased to 34,000 acres. He stocked it at first with merinos and later with long-woolled sheep. Reid was a member of the Waitaki county council, the Otago waste lands board (1868-72), the Oamaru road board and harbour board; was twice president of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral association; was a founder of the Colonial Bank; a governor of the Waitaki High School (1882-87), and a railway commissioner (from 1880). In 1887 he contested a seat in Parliament. To encourage the frozen meat trade and break the monopoly of the shipping companies Reid persuaded Turnbull, Martin and Co. to purchase the steamer Elderslie, and he freely supported the experiment by sending his own sheep forward. With J. T. Thomson Reid made a valuable report on the conservation of New Zealand forests. He married (1855) Agnes, daughter of James Humphries, of Paisley. He died on 16 Aug 1912.

His son, JOHN BENNIE REID (1861-1930), was a well-known racing owner, some of his successful horses being Wolverine, Skirmisher and Gladsome. He raced with success also in Australia and England. J. B. Reid was a director of the National Bank of New Zealand.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Critchal and Raymond; K. C. McDonald; Otago Daily Times, 9 Sept 1912, 12 Jan 1930; Evening Star, 27 Sep 1887.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

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