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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Former Members Of The Legislative Council

Former Members Of The Legislative Council.

The Honourable James Alexander Robertson Menzies , who died on the 18th of August, 1888, at his residence near Wyndham, was one of Southland's ablest and most public-spirited men. He was the first Superintendent of Southland, and long its representative in the Legislative Council. Dr. Menzies was born at Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1821, and completed his studies at the University of Edinburgh where he received his diploma of M.D. For many years he practised his profession in his native district, and in 1853 arrived in New Zealand, shortly afterwards settling on 38,000 acres of land in Lower Mataura, a fertile part of the country which soon attracted settlement. When the Government in 1866 were compelled to satisfy the increasing demands for land, Dr. Menzies' run was reduced to 8000 acres, and he bought the freehold of “Dunalister.” In that favoured spot many prominent public men enjoyed his hospitality and cultured intercourse, and it was there he spent the last years of his life. Though of somewhat reserved manner, there was behind it great warmth and sympathy of heart. A man of his ability and full of interest in the welfare of his adopted home naturally made himself conspicuous in public life. In 1857 he was appointed to a seat in the Legislative Council. When the new province of Southland was separated from Otago, he was elected Superintendent, and it was under his administration that an extensive public works policy was commenced which included the construction of the Bluff-Invercargill and Great Northern railways. This was some seven or eight years before Sir Julius Vogel's colonial Public Works policy, and proved rather disastrous to Southland: hence at the next election the late
Protected. Ross, photo.Old Post Office And Government Buildings, Dee Street.

Protected. Ross, photo.
Old Post Office And Government Buildings, Dee Street.

page 792 Mr. J. P. Taylor succeeded Dr. Menzies as Superintendent. The latter then retired from local politics, although he continued to retain his seat in the Legislative Council where, latterly, he was especially persistent in his efforts to secure State recognition of Bible-reading
The Late Hon. Dr. Menzies.

The Late Hon. Dr. Menzies.

in schools. On all matters of importance he was ever ready to express an intelligent opinion, and was invariably courteously and carefully listened to by other members of the Council. Scottish organisations were especially dear to his heart; he was chief of the Otago Gaelic Society, head of the Southland Caledonian Society, and, for many years, president of the Wyndham Caledonian Society. He took a great interest in the Mataura Pastoral and Agricultural Society, and his connection with the Wyndham Recreation Reserve Trust was very fruitful in beautifying the outskirts of the township. At one time he held seats on the Bluff Harbour Board and the Southland Education Board, and was at the time of his death one of the School Commissioners for Otago. He was selected by Government to turn the first sod of the Edendale-Fortrose railway, though he did not live to see much progress made with the work of which he had spoken hopefully and eulogistically ten years before. In religious life, Dr. Menzies was a Presbyterian of the old school, and for some years was superintendent of one of the Sunday schools in the parish of the Rev. Robert Wood, to whom he was ever ready to lend a helping hand in furthering any good work. Dr. Menzies was survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son. Mrs Menzies is second daughter of the late Dr. Featherston, formerly Superintendent of Wellington and for many years Agent-General for New Zealand in London.

The Hon. William Wood was for some time a member of the House of Representatives for Invercargill, and afterwards sat as member for Mataura. He was prominently connected with the Southland Provincial Council, and was the last Superintendent of the province. After the reunion with Otago he had a seat on the Provincial Council of Otago and Southland. When Invercargill was incorporated as a borough, in August, 1871, Mr. Wood was elected first mayor, and held that position during the years 1872 and 1873. In 1878 he was called to the Legislative Council, in which he held a seat until his death in 1885. Mr. Wood was born in England, and, before he came to New Zealand, he had been some years in New South Wales, where he had been a butcher, and was successful in business. He became a man of considerable means, and did not enter into business in Southland, but invested money in land and mortgages. His services were most valuable to the Corporation, as he insisted on the business being conducted on Parliamentary lines, and the Council has all along followed the lead which he gave in that respect. He took the popular side in politics, and cheerfully gave his means and leisure to public affairs. Mr. Wood resided on the East Road, a suburb of Invercargill, and his widow, who still (1904) survives, lives in Dunedin.