DUNCAN, THOMAS SMITH (1821-84) was born in Perth, Scotland, the son of the procurator-fiscal. He was educated for law and practised for a short time in Scotland. In 1850 he arrived in Canterbury in the Randolph and took up land at Decanter Bay, where he spent five years. His strength being unequal to farming, he began to practise law in Lyttelton, and shortly afterwards moved into Christchurch. For some years J. S. Williams (q.v.) was his partner.

Duncan was a member of the Provincial Council of Canterbury (for Akaroa 1857-59; City of Christchurch 1860-61; Avon 1861-66; Papanui 1866-70). In 1858 he was appointed to the executive as provincial solicitor, a position he held twice (1858-63 and 1866-67). He was then appointed crown prosecutor and held that position until his death on 22 Dec 1884. He was president of the Canterbury Law Society from its formation in 1868. Duncan married Miss Hunter.

Cox, Men of Mark; Guthrie Hay; Lyttelton Times, 23 Dec 1884.

Reference: Volume 1, page 128

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