BIOGRAPHICAL.

Mr William McLean M.H.R.

(N. Z. Times).

Mr William McLean was born in 1815 at Grantown, Inverneshire, Scotland, so that he is now in his 47th year. His father wai a shoemaker, and the subject of this notice was at an early age adopted by the Parish minister of his native village, the Bey. James Grant. At the age of 13 he left for Rochdale, Lancashire, where ho entered tho factory of Messrs Butterworth Bros., cotton spinners. In their employ he remained till tho cotton famine of 1863, consequent upon the American oiyil war, caused the firm of Butterworth Bros., in common with many other factory owners, to shut up their works and suspend operations. Young McLean turned his attention to the colonies, and as tho Otago goldfields 'were then attracting attention, ho left for Dnnedin, whence he made Mb way up oouutry. Hi» first digging experiences weie gained at Manuhenkia, and Black's diggings and Hill Creek. He did fairly well ia the pursuit of gold, and in a short time found himself able to opoa a small store at a place called Bread and Water Gully. Then came the news of brilliant finds on the West Coast, and girding up hie loins, Mr McLean struck for tho new El Dorado, being amongst the passengers carried to Hokitika by the steamer Gothenburg on her first trip thither from Dunvdin. He was one of the first prospectors who broke ground at Lake Kanieri. Her« he was unfortunate onongh to break his arm, and was obliged to go to Christohurch for medical treatment, there being no dootor at Hokitikc. From Christohurch he walked back to the Kanieri and remained there for some years. 'I hence he went to the famous Blue Spur in the Tuapeka district, the Hau Him and the Old Waimea, Second Terrace, and Lamplow (afterwards called Chesterfield). From thoro he gravitated to Reef ton, ntiil following his avocation as a goldmiaer,and at this place assisted at tho erection of the second goldmining plant in the district. At Reofton he entered into business as an auctioneer, und mining and commission agent. Finally, he came to Wellington 12 yeara ago, and began business as an auctioneer. This ho abandoned to enter fhe service of the Welmgton Loan Oompany, as seerotary, which position he held for three years, For the last four years he has filled hu present position oE secretary to tho Empire Loan and Discount Company. This is Mr MeLean's third bid for Parliamentary honours, but it is the first time that ho has been taken up and run as a Government candidate. Ho was rejected at one goneral election, and again at the general election of December, 1390, each time by the electors of Wellington, whose suffrages ho wooed.

Mr J. Fairburn, manager of the Government Life Insurance Department, has received instructions from the head olßco that, out of respect to the Ja.te Duke of Clarence and Avondale, tbe head office and branches will bo clospd from 1 p.m. tomorrow, the funeral ha* ..ig been arranged, to take place on that day.