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James Macandrew of Otago Slippery Jim Or a Leader Staunch and True?

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James Macandrew of Otago Slippery Jim Or a Leader Staunch and True? JAMES MACANDREW OF OTAGO SLIPPERY JIM OR A LEADER STAUNCH AND TRUE? BY RODERICK JOHN BUNCE A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Victoria University of Wellington 2013 iii ABSTRACT James Macandrew, a Scotsman who migrated to Dunedin in 1851, was variously a businessman, twice Superintendent of Otago Province, an imprisoned bankrupt and a Minister of the Crown. He was an active participant in provincial and colonial politics for 36 years and was associated with most of the major political events in New Zealand during that time. Macandrew was a passionate and persuasive advocate for the speedy development of New Zealand’s infrastructure to stimulate the expansion of settlement. He initiated a steamer service between New Zealand and Australia in 1858 but was bankrupt by 1860. While Superintendent of Otago in 1860 and 1867–76 he was able to advance major harbour, transport and educational projects. As Minister of Public Works in George Grey’s Ministry from 1878–79 he promoted an extensive expansion of the country’s railway system. In Parliament, he was a staunch advocate of easier access to land for all settlers, and a promoter of liberal social legislation which was enacted a decade later by the Seddon Government. His life was interwoven with three influential settlers, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, Julius Vogel and George Grey, who variously dominated the political landscape. Macandrew has been portrayed as an opportunist who exploited these relationships, but this study will demonstrate that while he often served these men as a subordinate, as a mentor he influenced their political beliefs and behaviour. Macandrew’s contribution to New Zealand politics and history has been neither widely nor impartially discussed. His activities, particularly as a provincial Superintendent, as a leader of the opposition to the abolition of the provinces and as a government minister, have elicited accounts which range from adulation to anathema, and descriptions of him range from ‘A leader staunch and true’ to ‘Slippery Jim.’ This biography explores the origins of Macandrew’s values and philosophy, traces his life story, and evaluates his role in New Zealand history. It examines his career as a Scotsman abroad and as a settler who exploited the boom and bust economy of the new colony. It also investigates the events which diminished his reputation and curtailed his career. Macandrew is revealed as an overlooked Scottish Presbyterian of conservative social values, liberal political ideals and visionary economic views, whose enthusiasms often exceeded his skills and led to the failure of many of his far-sighted and promising projects. He was a self-confident individual who had a substantial influence on his adopted country. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS James Macandrew entered my consciousness in 1981 when I undertook research on the early settlement of Otago and he has demanded a biography ever since. Knowledge of Otago’s settlers often stops at William Cargill and Thomas Burns, but Macandrew played an equally important role in making Dunedin, Otago and New Zealand the wonderful places they are. I have been encouraged to write his biography by Professor David McKenzie and Professor Tom Brooking of Dunedin who both receive my thanks for their support. At Victoria University of Wellington I have benefited from the professional oversight of my supervisors, Associate Professor Jim McAloon and Professor James Belich without whom this thesis would not have eventuated. Professional help was provided in Dunedin by Alison Breeze of the Dunedin City Archives, Jill Haley of the Otago Settlers Museum and Alison Clarke of the Hocken Library. In Wellington assistance came from David Colquhoun of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Katie de Roo of Archives New Zealand and Lindsay Milne of the Parliamentary Library. I thank you all. Macandrew descendants were always helpful with discussion and the loan and use of family records. I wish to thank Kate Wilson of Middlemarch, Jane Harcourt of Karori and Anne Hubbard of Raumati. Lisa Sacksen was a tolerant roommate for the duration while Louis Schmitt executed a professional proof read. Thank you both. My wife Elizabeth has supported me through the gestation, research and writing of this thesis with encouragement, discussion and challenge. Thank you Elizabeth for your love and support. vii CONTENTS Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ v Contents .............................................................................................................................. vii Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... xi 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Aims of the Thesis ......................................................................................................... 5 Historiography ............................................................................................................... 6 Sources and Structure .................................................................................................. 14 2. Origins: Aberdeen and London 1819–1850 ................................................................ 19 The Free Church of Scotland Settlement at Otago ...................................................... 28 London Preparations .................................................................................................... 31 Emigration to Otago .................................................................................................... 38 3. Settler: Dunedin 1851–1861 ......................................................................................... 43 Making his Fortune .......................................................................................................... 45 Public Roles ................................................................................................................. 45 Business Roles ............................................................................................................. 52 Losing his Fortune ........................................................................................................... 62 Downward Slide .......................................................................................................... 65 4. Politician: First Career 1852–1861 .............................................................................. 73 Provincial Councillor ................................................................................................... 77 Compact of 1856 ......................................................................................................... 79 Education Ordinance 1856 .......................................................................................... 83 New Provinces Act 1858 ............................................................................................. 87 Member of Parliament ................................................................................................. 89 Superintendent ............................................................................................................. 94 ix 5. Politician: Second Career 1863–1876 Otago ........................................................... 105 Otago Provincial Council .......................................................................................... 108 Superintendent 1867–1871 ........................................................................................ 116 Superintendent 1871–1876 ........................................................................................ 128 6. Politician: Second Career 1863–1876 Wellington ................................................... 141 Member of Parliament ............................................................................................... 141 Stafford and the provinces 1865–1869 ...................................................................... 145 Vogel and the provinces 1869–1874 ......................................................................... 152 Endgame 1874–1876 ................................................................................................. 161 7. Politician: Ministerial Career 1877–1879 ................................................................. 173 Premier Atkinson ....................................................................................................... 174 Premier Grey.............................................................................................................. 176 The Hon. James Macandrew, Minister of the Crown ................................................ 181 Minister of Public Works .......................................................................................... 184 The Railways Construction Act 1878 ........................................................................ 188 Almost premier .......................................................................................................... 196 8. Epilogue and Conclusion 1879–1887 ......................................................................... 203 Leader of
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