The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
[Ex-Councillors]
Captain James Johnston, who was for some time a member of the Marton Borough Council, was born in 1836 in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and landed in New Zealand in 1857, almost immediately taking up his residence in the Rangitikei. The country was then in its natural state; there were no roads, and all haulage was done by bullocks, there being only three horses in the district. In 1861 Captain Johnston joined the Volunteers, was soon gazetted ensign, and subsequently attained the rank of captain, a position which he held for eleven years, his total service amounting to twenty-four years. His farm, “Bellevue,” is situated near Marton, but besides this he has an interest with his sons in several properties in different parts of the district. He is married to a daughter of Mr. John Crawford, and has five sons and four daughters.
Mr. John Hugh Murray, J.P., who was for several years a member of the Marton Borough Council, was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1841, and came to New Zealand with his father on the first trip of the “Tyne” in 1842, settling at Karori for a time, and afterwards removing to Wanganui, where the subject of this sketch finished his school course. After a few years in Mr. Kells' store, he had some experience on the Otago goldfields, after which he returned again to Mr. Kells' employment. Later on he opened a store of his own in Ridgway Street, Wanganui, which he kept for about five years, then engaging in farming. In 1872 Mr. Murray opened a general store in Marton, which ten years later he leased and bought his present farm, “Ellerslie.” Shortly afterwards he bought a bush-farm at Waituna, on which he-lived for eight years, but indifferent health compelled him to relinquish it to his son. In 1865 Mr. Murray was married to Miss Hannah Hammond, daughter of Mr. Matthew Hammond, of “Killimoon,” a well-known settler at Bulls, and has four sons and two daughters. Mr. Murray was a member of the first Borough Council of Marton, and held a seat on it for several years. He was a member of the page 1309 Wangaehu County Council, and of the first company of Volunteers formed in Wanganui. He is an elder and local preacher in the Marton Presbyterian Church, having always taken an active interest in church work.