John Ewing (goldminer)

Ewing was born in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, Scotland on 3 November 1844.^[1][2] His father was a manufacturer.^[1] He emigrated to New Zealand in 1863, joining the Otago goldrush. Ewing mined at Gabriel's Gully and Fourteen Mile Beach before settling at Dunstan Creek goldfield in Saint Bathans.^[1] Ewing was an early adopter of mining technology such as hydraulic mining, and was a founding shareholder of the Scandinavian Water Race Company, which provided water to miners at St Bathans.^[1] In 1884 Ewing unsuccessfully stood against Scobie Mackenzie for the Mount Ida electorate.^[1]

Ewing was referred to as 'Big John Ewing', the 'Gold Baron' or the 'Mining Monarch'.^[1]

Ewing died on 30 August 1922 in the Chalet Hospital at Dunedin, survived by his wife, Mary Frances Ewing. He is buried in Dunedin's Andersons Bay cemetery.^[1]