The ship left Gravesend on the River Thames on 9 June and arrived in Lyttelton on 25 August.

[3][4] Dougall attended Mr Gee's School in Worcester Street, Christchurch Central City.

[11] Dougall stood as council candidate in the Linwood Borough for the election on 10 September 1896,[12] but he came fifth, and as there only three positions available, he was not successful.

[14] He joined the Christchurch Tramway Board in its first year of existence when the Riccarton – Sockburn sub-district was added.

[15][16] He successfully stood for Christchurch City Council in the Central Ward in the April 1909 election, coming fifth out of ten candidates vying for six available positions.

[17][18] At the next election in April 1911, he was returned at the head of the poll in the Central Ward (with Henry Holland in second place).

Many of them lamented the antiquated legislation which did not allow for an election at large in case of the death of the incumbent mayor.

[25][26] During his term as mayor, the foundation stone for the Government Building (a Category 1 heritage building[27]) in Cathedral Square was formally laid by Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward in the presence of many members of parliament.

[4][33] At the 1915 annual meeting in the Wellington Town Hall, he was re-elected for another year[34] and gave a long-remembered speech[35] that was the impetus for the masonic war benevolent fund.

[39] On 3 April 1902, Dougall bought the family home off Walter Sheppard in 83 Clyde Road in what is now known as the suburb of Ilam, but what was known as Waimairi at the time.