CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ 1897

Wellington Province

WELLINGTON:

MUTRIE, Alexander, Councillor

Page 936

Councillor Alexander Mutrie

Councillor Alexander Mutrie, who was first returned as a member of the Borough Council of Masterton by a large majority against five candidates, and was re-elected for the present term unopposed, is a sheepfarmer residing at `Springfield,' Manaia. Born on the last day of 1843, in Kinross-shire, Scotland, he came to Wellington per ship `Agra' in 1852 with his father, who still survives. After some years at Karori, and a year on the Otago goldfields, Councillor Mutrie came to the Wairarapa in 1862. He was brought up by his grandparents to sheepfarming, and resided with them and his uncle, Mr. R. Cockburn, at Lower Manaia, until purchasing the farm of 150 acres which he now holds. From its original state of scrub, flax and raupo swamp, the property has been transformed into a first-class farm supporting a considerable number of crossbred sheep. Mr. Mutrie, who has been a prizewinner for fat sheep, is a member of the committee of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Society. As a Forester, he belongs to Court Loyal Enterprise, No. 5501, Masterton, but has declined to accept office. As a member of the Borough Council, he favours the side of the economists, being against the proposed large loan. In 1870 Mr. Mutrie was married to a daughter of the late Mr. T. Kelleher, of Masterton, but has no family.

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