The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Maclean, Hon. John Donald
Maclean, Hon. John Donald, M.L.A., sometime treasurer of Queensland, youngest son of Donald Maclean, of Aird and Glen in the island of Skye, and one of the original directors of the Australian Agricultural Company, was born at Aird in 1821. He emigrated to New South Wales in 1837, and ultimately went largely into squatting pursuits, being at one time interested in no less than forty stations. Latterly he resided on his property at Westbrook, Darling Downs, Qd. Having entered the parliament of that colony, he became Colonial Treasurer in the second Ministry of Mr. (now Sir) R. G. W. Herbert, which was formed in July 1866 when Mr. Macalister retired, owing to the refusal of the Governor's assent to his Legal Tender Notes Bill. Mr. Maclean took office in the midst of a monetary crisis, but quickly restored the equilibrium of the finances, when his career was cut short by a fall from his horse which ended fatally on Dec. 16th, 1866.