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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Sir Donald McLean
Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G., was a member of eight Ministries. In the third Fox Ministry, which took office in June, 1869, he first took office as Native Minister and Minister for Colonial Defence, which he retained till that Government resigned in September, 1872. On the accession of the Waterhouse administration he became Native Minister for the second time and retained the position till compelled to retire on December 7th, 1876, owing to ill-health. He served throughout the Waterhouse, fourth Fox, first Vogel, Pollen, second Vogel and first Atkinson administrations, and in the reconstituted Atkinson Ministry he was obliged to relinquish office after three months for reasons already stated. Sir Donald was born in Scotland in 1820. At the age of seventeen he landed in Sydney and two years after reached New Zealand. Having gained a good knowledge of Maori, he was appointed Protector of Aborigines in Taranaki. Governor Grey instructed the subject of this notice in 1847 to inspect the land at Waitara which Commissioner Spain had declared was the property of the Government. In 1850 he became Resident Magistrate for a native district. Subsequently he was appointed Chief Commissioner of Land Purchase, and in 1856 he became Native Secretary previous to the establishment of constitutional government. The Weld Ministry of 1865 charged Mr McLean with the duty of restoring order among the hostile natives of the East Coast. As Native Minister Sir Donald held office continuously for a period of eight years and a half, with the exception of one month and a day, during which the Stafford Government held office in 1872. He was most successful in the performance of his responsible and difficult duties, and succeeded in making peace with the King party in the Waikato. Sir Donald McLean was the first Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. In 1874 he was created a K.C.M.G. by Her Majesty the Queen. He died in January 1877.
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Sir Donald Mclean.