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

Mr. John Macfarlane Ritchie

page 350

Mr. John Macfarlane Ritchie , J.P., General Manager for the Colonies of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, Ltd., Attorney for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Ltd., Chairman of the National Insurance Company of New Zealand, and a director of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., and of the Trustees, Executors and Agency Company, Ltd., is a colonist of nearly forty years standing. Mr. Ritchie was born in Scotland. When he met Mr. George Gray Russell in London, arrangements were entered into to go to Otago and commence business as general merchants, importers, and agents for a considerable number of syndicates, that had bought land in New Zealand. In consequence of this agreement Mr. Ritchie went to Port Chalmers in 1865 in the ship “Aboukir.” Mr. Russell arriving about the same time by another vessel, the firm of Russell, Ritchie and Co. was forthwith founded. The business was conducted jointly by the partners in New Zealand till 1873, when Mr. Russell went to England and opened a London house for the firm, remaining there as resident partner, and Mr. Ritchie taking charge of the business in the Colony. Four years later Mr. Russell returned to New Zealand, having completed negotiations with the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, to take over the business of his firm. The various land syndicates for whom Messrs. Russell, Ritchie and Co. had acted since the establishment of their business, soon afterwards became merged in the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, for which Mr. Ritchie has been attorney since 1868. He has been well known as an enterprising colonist, and for a number of years served as a member of the Otago Harbour Board; otherwise, he has declined public life, his time being fully engaged in connection with his numerous mercantile interests.