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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
The Hon. David Pinkerton
The Hon. David Pinkerton landed in New Zealand from the ship “Lady Egidia,” in January, 1861. Mr. Pinkerton was born in Kirknewton, near Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1836, and was there educated under Dr. Hislop, afterwards Under-Secretary for Education in New Zealand. He is a bootmaker, and with the exception of a short time on the goldfields, has been engaged in that line of business, either as an employer or as a journeyman, since completing his apprenticeship. For many years past he has taken a keen interest in the labour question, and was actively engaged as president or treasurer of various unions till 1890. On the Otago Trades and Labour Council he occupied the position of president for a period of three years, and when his parliamentary engagements necessitated his resignation, a presentation consisting of a beautifully executed oil painting of himself was tendered, as a recognition of his ser vices in the cause of unionism. Mr. Pinkerton was first returned to the House of Representatives at the general election of 1890, with Messrs Hutchison and Fish, for the city of Dunedin. Three years later he was again returned for the same constituency, together with Messrs. Hutchison and Earnshaw. At the general election of 1896 Mr. Pinkerton was defeated, although he had faithfully suported the Labour and Liberal party in the House, and had occupied the position of chairman of the Labour Bills Committee for the previous three years. In February, 1897, however, he was called to a seat in the Legislative Council; in the short session of the early part of 1897, he moved the address-in-reply to the Governor's speech. During Mr. Pinkerton's residence in Dunedin, he has shown an intelligent interest in movements tending to further the general advancement of the city and Colony, and was a member of the committee of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1889–90. He is an old member of the order of Foresters, and at one time occupied the position of district chief ranger. Mr. Pinkerton was married in 1860 to Miss Margarel Fairely, of Kirknewton, and has three daughters, one of whom is the wife of Mr. D. H. Cameron, of the Hansard staff.