Mr. George Brownlee , J.P., Secretary of the Loyal Oamaru Lodge, was born in 1841, in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was educated. He was brought up to mercantile life in Kilmarnock and Glasgow, and landed at Port Chalmers, from the ship “Wave Queen,” in 1863. After a goldmining and general experience, he settled in 1874 in Oamaru, where he became manager for the late Mr. John Falconer, seedsman, and purchased the business after that gentleman's death in 1888. As an Oddfellow, Mr. Brownlee was initiated in Scotland and brought his clearance to the Colony. He affiliated in the Hand and Heart Lodge, Dunedin, but transferred his membership on removing to Oamaru. Soon after his arrival he became secretary, and has since performed the duties of that office, besides frequently acting as delegate to district meetings of the order. Mr. Brownlee is a member of the Masonic Order, and acted for seven years as secretary of Lodge Waitaki, N.Z.C. He has served on the Waiareka Licensing Bench and the Waiareka school committee, having been chairman of both bodies. Mr. Brownlee studied the tonic sol-fa notation of music in Scotland, and was for a number of years the only member of the London College in New Zealand. He was for a time president of the New Zealand Association, and has granted many certificates to teachers. Mr. Brownlee is chairman of the Waitaki Fruitgrowers' Association, and has represented it in Wellington. He has always taken a prominent part in the North Otago Horticultural Society, and has served as vice-president and president. He is also a member of the committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he has been vice-president, and was president during 1903–4. Mr. Brownlee was married in Kilmarnock to a daughter of the late Mr. Markland, page 521 of that town, and has three sons and four daughters. Their sons occupy important positions, and two of their daughters are married. Mr. Brownlee is referred to in another article as a member of the Oamaru Harbour Board.