MACGREGOR, WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM (1862-1934) was born at Paisley, Scotland, the son of the Rev James Macgregor (1830-94, q.v.). He was educated at Watson's College and the University of Edinburgh, and came to New Zealand at the age of 19 years. He studied at Otago University, where he passed his final law examinations in 1883 and in the same year received the Canterbury law society's gold medal. He was a keen sportsman, playing cricket for the Carisbrook club (Dunedin) and Rugby for the Dunedin club. In 1898-99 he was champion of the Otago Golf club. Macgregor practised in Dunedin from 1890 to 1920, and was president of the Otago law society in 1898. In 1903 he became a partner in the firm of Smith, Macgregor and Sinclair, and he was for many years legal adviser to the City Council. In 1914 he became crown prosecutor for the Otago district, and he took silk in the same year. In July 1920 he was appointed Solicitor-general. While in control of the Crown Law Office, he had to assume most of the duties of Attorney-general during the absence in Geneva of Sir Francis Bell. In 1923 he became a judge of the Supreme Court, and he retired in 1934, and died on 26 Aug of that year. During his earlier years at the bar Macgregor was a frequent contributor to the press, both in England and New Zealand. He took a keen interest in British imperialism, and was the author of Ideals of Empire (1908). He married in 1902 Dora Louisa, daughter of G. W. Harris, of Mt Gambier, South Australia.

Who's Who NZ., 1924, 1982; The Dominion, 28 Aug 1934.

Reference: Volume 2, page 12

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