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Douglas Hastings Macarthur was born in Edinburgh in 1839 and received a good education, including languages. (From his aunt Elizabeth McLean). Arriving in Nelson at the age of 18, he worked on a farm at Collingwood for two years and then visited with some success the diggings at Malborough, Otago and the West Coast. Returning to Nelson, he took a farm at Takaka, on which a considerable amount of gold was obtained. Macarthur's early days 1856-1875
When the Manchester block was settled Macarthur was appointed (1874) a sub agent for the Emigrants' and Colonists' Aid Corporation, and when Halcombe relinquished the management of the Feilding settlement he was appointed to succeed him (1881).
Macarthur was Mayor of Feilding for three years, Chairman of the Manawatu highway board, Chairman of both Manawatu and Oroua counties, and Captain of the Manchester Rifles.
He was elected Member of the House of Representatives in 1884 and re-elected in 1887, and for Rangitikei in 1890. He was a man of considerable ability and force of character, and was offered a post in the Atkinson cabinet but differed on customs policy. The loans to local bodies act was introduced by him. Macarthur died 24 May 1892.
NZ Politics 1880-1900
The voyage of the "China" 1856
The Myers Family History -Douglas Hastings Macarthur
Cathy Clarke, Whangarei, New Zealand
email; mel.clarke@clear.net.nz
Last updated 4 Jul 2004