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 Leiper Currie , one of the pioneers of the mining industry at Orepuki, was born at Strathavon, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1832, and was brought up in business with his father, who was a general merchant. On arriving in Victoria, he entered into business as a general merchant at Maryborough and Dunnolly, and was also connected with mining for five or six years. Mr Currie crossed to New Zealand when gold was discovered, and, after engaging in mining for a time, started in business in Orepuki with his former Victorian partner. However, some years later he gave up business, and has since devoted himself exclusively to mining. He is interested in both sluicing and driving claims in the district. Mr Currie was for years an elder of the local Presbyterian church, and the first religious page 952 services held at Orepuki were inaugurated by him. He was also the first to to open a Sunday school, and was for many years a member of the Public Library Committee. With Mr Cassels he started the Orepuki shale works, and was a large shareholder in the company.