James Menzies (New Zealand politician)
James Alexander Robertson Menzies (21 February 1821 – 18 August 1888) was the first Superintendent of the Southland Province in New Zealand from 3 August 1861 to November 1864 during its breakaway from Otago Province (1861 to 1870).[1] He continued serving on the Provincial Council after his superintendency ended.[2]
During his tenure as Superintendent, two railways projects were undertaken, a railway to link Invercargill to the port at Bluff and a wooden railway to Winton. The former is now known as the Bluff Branch, while the latter was upgraded to the standards of a normal railway and extended to ultimately form the Kingston Branch.[1]
He served on the Legislative Council for 30 years, from 1858 until his death in 1888, and promoted the interests of Southland.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Hall-Jones, John. "Menzies, James Alexander Robertson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Portrait of Dr J. A. R. Menzies". Southland District Council. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- 1821 births
- 1888 deaths
- Superintendents of New Zealand provincial councils
- People from Southland, New Zealand
- Members of the Southland Provincial Council
- Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council
- New Zealand farmers
- Scottish surgeons
- Members of the Otago Provincial Council
- Scottish emigrants to New Zealand
- 19th-century New Zealand politicians