DEATH OF MR JOHN LUNDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1899, Page 2

DEATH OF MR JOHN LUNDON.

The death is announced of Mr John Lundon, Of Franklin Boad, Ponsottby, at the age of 70 years. Mr Lundon, who died yesterday afternoon from heart, disease, was n, very old Isew Zealand colonist, having been here tor nearly 56 years. He arrived here at the age of IS years with his father (the late Mr Patrick Lundon) and other members of the family on March °,1 1543 by the barque Westminster, (dpt. Michie), from LOttdOn, the family having come from County lamer' ic'k, Ireland. He went 6ver to \ictOna at the beginning of the Bendigo gold rush, and on returning here was en-o-a<*ed in exporting potatoes across to Victoria for the diggers. In 1657 he built and occupied the Harp of Erin Hotel at Ellerslie, and afterwards built the first grandstand at Eilerslie and initiated horse races there. In 1860, prior to the outbreak of the Waikato War, he joined Coldnel Nixon's Cavalry Corps, and served for some time in the field, and he also was engaged in transporting military stores to the front, and took contracts for forming and making parts of the Great South Road. When the Waikato War broke out he raised the Manukau Eifle and Volunteer C6rps, and held a commission in that corps, having been transferred from Colonel Nixon's Cavalry. After living at Onehunga and at Awanui for softie time he went to the Thames gOldfields in 1868, and entered largely into goldmining and speculation there. Keturning to Onehunga he was three times elected to represent the pensioner settlements in the Auckland Provincial Council. In the early seventies he had command of the Onehunga Itfflfe Volunteers, which corps he raised. In 1870 he Was returned to Parliament- for the Bay Of Islands seat, and in 1883 he left for Samoa, under engagement to the South Sea Island Produce Company. Shortly after he went to Samoa he conceived the idea that it would be beneficial if those islands were annexed to New Zealand. Finally he was the means 6f procuring the unanimous passing Of an Act by the Samoan Parliament-on February 9, JBBS, formally annexing the group to New Zealand. The British Government, however, vetoed the annexation. On returning to New Zealand in 18S5 Mr Lundon raised two volunteer corps and a cadet corps in Onehunga in consequence of the Kussian scare. In ISS6 the special settlement scheme in the North of Auckland was set forth under Mr LUndon's management, and he was warmly thanked for his valuable services by the Hon. Mr Ballance, Minister for Lands, For the last few years Mr Lundon had been living in private life. His brothe? David died a few months ago. The deceased leaves one son (Mr j. H. Lundon, solicitor) and six daughters. The funeral will leave his late residence at 3 p.m. to-morrow for the Symonds-street Catholic Cemetery. .