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

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Mr. John Mccartney , J.P., who lives in retirement at his residence, Leith Walk, Portobello, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to Otago with his father and two brothers by the ship “Storm Cloud,” in 1860. He studied for the legal profession for some years before leving the Old Country, but on coming to New Zealand he resolved to follow an outdoor life. Mr. McCartney spent some time at the Gabriel's Gully gold diggings, and was also engaged in cutting timber and firewood at Pine Hill. In 1864 he accompanied the family to Wickliffe Bay, where he farmed until his retirement in 1901. Mr. McCartney was at one time a member of the road board of which he was chairman for two years, and he was chairman or secretary of the Portobello school committee for over thirty years. He is a life member and secretary and treasurer of the Peninsula Library Endowment Trustees, and has been honorary secretary of the library committee for the last thirty-five years. Mr. McCartney possesses numerous shooting trophies and the bronze medal and the New Zealand Rifle Association's medal, besides being entitled to the long service medal. He has been a most enthusiastic volunteer since 1868, when the Portobello contingent of the Port Navals was formed. Two years later the Portobello Rifles became a separate body, with Mr. McCartney as lieutenant commanding. He was gazetted captain in 1878 and major in 1883, and, on the disbandment of the Portobello Rifles in 1884, became president of the Portobello Rifle Club. Mr. McCartney has been a Justice of the Peace since 1884. He married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Seaton, M.H.R., and there are two sons and three daughters.