John James Meikle

John James Meikle (c. 1845 – 25 November 1937) was a New Zealand farmer and litigant.

He was born in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland in c. 1845 and arrived in New Zealand in early 1870.[1] On the evidence brought by a private detective who received a sizeable reward and despite a character reference by former prime minister, Sir Robert Stout, Meikle was convicted of sheep steeling and served five years in prison. After some years of collecting evidence, Meikle laid a charge of perjury against the private detective, who was sent to prison for four years. Meikle petitioned parliament for £10,000 compensation and after a lengthy debate, he was awarded £500 in 1897, which covered about 10% of his costs. Meikle continued his campaign to fully clear his name, but two Supreme Court judges assigned to the case took a dim view. Meikle died in 1937 a "bitter and broken" man. His case was "one of the most remarkable cases" in New Zealand's legal history.[1] He was buried at Dunedin Southern Cemetery.[2]

Meikle contested the 1901 Caversham by-election. Of six candidates, he came last with just 0.59% of the vote.[3]

References
  1. McArthur, J. Findlay. "John James Meikle". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "Cemetery details". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  3. "The Caversham By-election". The Marlborough Express. XXXV (295). 20 December 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 2 January 2016.


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