James Alexander Robertson Menzies, Date of Birth, Date of Death

James Alexander Robertson Menzies

Superintendent of the Southland Province, politician

Date of Birth: 21-Feb-1821

Date of Death: 18-Aug-1888

Profession: farmer, surgeon

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

James Alexander Robertson Menzies (21 February 1821 – 18 August 1888) was the first Superintendent of the Southland Province in New Zealand from 3 August 1861 to November 1864 during its breakaway from Otago Province (1861 to 1870).
He continued serving on the Provincial Council after his superintendency ended.During his tenure as Superintendent, two railways projects were undertaken, a railway to link Invercargill to the port at Bluff and a wooden railway to Winton.
The former is now known as the Bluff Branch, while the latter was upgraded to the standards of a normal railway and extended to ultimately form the Kingston Branch.He served on the Legislative Council for 30 years, from 1858 until his death in 1888, and promoted the interests of Southland.