Dates

• Existence: 1817 - 1884

Biography

John Macfarlane, one of the pioneers of settlement in New Zealand, was born in Perth, Scotland on 9 February 1817. He was brought up to sheepfarming by his father, who was a farmer and dealer. Mr. Macfarlane landed in Nelson, in 1842, and two years later removed to Wellington. About the end of 1850, three weeks before the arrival of the first four ships, he came to Canterbury, and took up the Loburn run - so named by him - which he worked till 1862, when, owing to the advent of free selectors, he sold out and purchased land about three miles from Rangiora, since known as "Coldstream". Mr. Macfarlane resided on this property till his death on 23 October 1884, and took considerable interest in local affairs in Rangiora. He was the president of the Northern Agriculltural Association for about 17 years, and took an active part. in the business of the County Council. He was married in Wellington, in 1848, to Catherine, a daughter of the late Mr. Donald Cameron, who came to the colony in 1840. Mrs Macfarlane (1825-1908) survived her husband, and was well known throughout the Rangiora district. They had six sons and three daughters and about forty grandchildren.

Catherine Cameron came out to New Zealand with her family in 1840,when she was fifteen. In 1848 she married John Macfarlane, who had arrived in New Zealand in 1842, aged twenty-five. They settled in Canterbury in 1850, farming first at Ferrymead, then Loburn and finally Coldstream, near Rangiora.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: