John McLachlan

Mr. John McLachlan, who represents the electorate of Ashburton in the House of Representatives, was born at Ardrossan, in Ayrshire Scotland, in 1840, and was brought up to the trade of his father, who was a plasterer with an extensive business. He came to New Zealand in 1863 by the ship “Sebastopol,” and landed at Lyttelton. After some time spent in looking around the country,he was impressed with the look of the land in the Ellesmere district, and purchased the fine farm on which he has ever since resided. Mr. McLachlan was one of the pioneers of the district, to which he was instrumental in bringing his brothers—who are also leading farmers—as well as his mother and sister.

Mr. McLachlan has been a member of the Ellesmere Road Board for many years, as well as of the school committee. He stood for election to the Canterbury Provincial Council, but was defeated by the Provincial Secretary, Mr. Jollie. For the representation of Ellesmere in Parliament he stood unsuccessfully three times, first against Sir John Hall, then the Hon. E. Richardson and Mr. Edward James Lee, and, lastly, Mr. Edward Wakefield, who was returned by a small majority. No way disheartened by his defeats, Mr. McLachlan contested the Ashburton electorate in 1893, against Mr. J. C. Wason—afterwards member for the Orkneys in the British House of Commons—and was returned as the district's representative in Parliament. Mr. McLachlan stood again for Ashburton at the general election of 1896, but was defeated by Mr. E. G. Wright, who had before been member for the district. He, however, came out again at the election of 1899, when he was opposed by Mr. C. J. Harper, a son of Bishop Harper, and by Messrs W. S. Maslin and J. McKeague. Of the 4,200 votes which were recorded, Mr. McLachlan obtained 2,027, and Mr Harper, the next highest candidate, polled 1,225. At the general election of November, 1902, he had three opponents, namely, Messrs J. Studholme, A. S. Brock, and A. Ager, and was returned by a majority of 452; and a total of 2,158 votes. Mr Studholme, the next highest candidate, polled 1,696 votes. In Parliament Mr. McLachlan has always been a discriminating supporter of the party now in power, but has at all times asserted his independence.

He is a fluent speaker, and in 1896 he conducted a memorable “stone wall” on the Liquor Bill, which was thereby defeated by his means. Mr. McLachlan has been a member of the Canterbury Land Board for many years, also a member of the Parliamentary Waste Lands Committee, and is well acquainted with legislation bearing on the settlement of the land.

He is a member of the general committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canterbury, and of the Ellesmere Cemetery Board. Mr. McLachlan became a Freemason before his arrival in New Zealand, and was instrumental in obtaining a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, to establish Lodge Ionic, 1917, English Constitution. He has occupied the positions of Master and Grand Master, and in recent years has been member of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter.

Mr. McLachlan married Miss Robb, of Perthshire, Scotland, and has a family of five sons and seven daughters, of whom four sons and two daughters are married. Mrs McLachlan died on the 15th of May, 1902, deeply and deservedly lamented by all classes of the community.