Mr. James McKinnon, Town Clerk, Whangarei Borough Council, is a son of the late Mr. John McKinnon, who was one of the oldest settlers in Whangarei County. He was brought up on his father's farm at Whareora, and the first position he held was as clerk of the Whareora Road Board in 1883. The following year he was appointed clerk and treasurer of the Whangarei County Council, and was clerk to the Whangarei Town Board for some years before the borough was proclaimed. Besides the above positions, which are still held by Mr. McKinnon, he is secretary of the Maunu Road Board, Whangarei Harbour Board, and High School Board of Governors. He is returning officer for the Whangarei County, valnator under the Government Life Insurance Department, page 544 valuator under the Lands Valuation Act—receiving the latter appointment in June, 1877—and census enumerator for the Marsden electorate. Mr. McKinnon is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In musical matters he has always taken more than a general interest, and as an amateur photographer has produced admirable work, some of his views of the district being found in this volume.