DEATH OF MR. J. ENDEAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 2, 3 January 1925, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. J. ENDEAN.

WELL-KNOWN OLD THAMES MINER.

The death at the age of 81 years of Mr. J. Endean, which occurred this morning, has removed another of the interesting band of miners who worked at the Thames in its palmy days, when fortunes were made with a rapidity that was fascinating. Bern in 1844 in Cornwall, that prolific home of capable miners, Mr. Endean was attracted abroad, as so many "Cousin Jacks" were both before and after him, for the skill of the Cornish miner made his services in great demand wherever there was mining to be done. At the age of 19 young Endean packed up and started out for Australia, whence great stories of gold were carried to the Old Land. He was mining in various parts of the Australian goldfields for about a year, but in 1864 the wandering spirit drvw him to California. where the goldseekers were making wonderful hauls of the precious metal. Young Endean 6avr a lot of life in the Golden State and elsewhere, nnd was one of those that took part in the famous "White Pines" rush in Nevada. After some six Tears in the States the young Cornishman once more packed bis belongings, and this time he was attracted to the Thames goldfield. from which came reports of rich finds. He was one of the first men to take on tributinp at the Thames, and bis undoubted skill and experience stood him in good stead. He 'lid well on that famous field. He liked A'ew Zealand so much that he decided to settle down for good, and married a •laughter of Mr. Harry Phillips, one of the oldest settlers on the Thames. Later Mr. Endean left the Thames and came u f to Auckland, where he took the waitemata Hotel, which was soon the ?reat mining house of call in Auckland, and the capable licensee built up a wide reputation ar.d a competence. From that day until the present time the house has always been associated with the well-known name, as after Mr. Endean retired from active business his E °n, Mr. Jack Endean, took over the Place, and still controls it. Once a miner always a miner, and although Mr. Endean had left the goidaejd he still continued to s-neculate in raining properties, and he was a well- ' known authority in the development of many properties in the days when gold■nining was more extensive than it is to-day. "r. Endean had a high reputation jot business integrity, and during his long career on the sroldfields and later a s licensee of the Waitemata he made ' v ery larjje circle of friends. Mrs. '"dean died some years ago. In addition io* Mr. Jack Endean, ""Usee of the Waitemata Hotel, other Members »f deceased's family living in Auckland include Mr. W. P. Endean. of Andean and Hollowav, barristers and "•Ueitors, and Mrs. F. E. N. Gaudin. Another son is Dr. Endean. who is now ? London, and a married daughter also Uv, es in England.