CHALMERS, NATHANIEL (1830-1910) was born in Rothesay, Scotland, and at an early age taken to London, where he got his education at Christ's Hospital. In 1845 he entered a shipbroker's office in Liverpool and afterwards took service in a London bank. In 1846 he sailed in the Ajax for Otago. Having selected a farm at Omaro bush, he chartered the schooner Jumping Jackass to carry his belongings to the Molyneux and then proceeded overland to the Waihopai river. In 1852 he and a brother were attracted to the Forest Creek diggings in Victoria, where they had little luck.

They then proceeded to Sydney to take delivery of sheep from Bathurst and the Hunter river on account of Edwin Meredith. Arriving at Stewart Island in the schooner Otago, 70 tons, in July 1853 they landed 450 sheep on the island to recuperate; then took them into the New River estuary, where the voyage ended and drove the flock overland to Moa Hill. Chalmers took up a property at Popotunoa. In 1856 he married Miss McGrath and moved to Otakaramu; and in 1858 he purchased McNab's Hokonui run.

Chalmers did fairly well, and in 1861 sold out his sheepfarming and timber milling interests to live in Invercargill. He was first elected to the Southland Provincial Council (for Invercargill) in July 1861. In December he was appointed provincial treasurer so had to contest his seat again. He was then elected for Mataura, which he represented (1861-64). He was a member of the executive in 1861 and again from the end of that year until February 1864, and during the last few months was provincial treasurer and deputy-superintendent of the province. In 1864 he retired in ill-health and moved to Moa Hill.

Chalmers made many explorations in Southland, including a noteworthy journey to Wakatipu with the chief Te Reko (1853). In 1856 he found gold in potholes at Mataurafalls. As deputy-superintendent he cut the first sod of the Southland and Great Northern railway (1863). In November 1868 Chalmers settled in Fiji, where he engaged in cotton planting at Rewa, Labasa and Koro. In 1870-74 he was deputy-warden and magistrate at Levuka, and in 1879-83 he was a member of the Legislative Council. After 12 years sugar planting (1879-91) he was again magistrate (1891-1906). He died on 2 Dec 1910.

Southland P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Beattie, ii; Moss; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 31 Dec 1910.

Reference: Volume 1, page 91

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