DIED IN LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1936, Page 3

DIED IN LONDON.

SIR JAMES MILLS. UNION COMPANY FOUNDER. SHIPPING TRADE PIONEER. Advice was received in Atickland today of the death in London yesterday of Sir James Mills, K.C.M.G., chairman of directors of the Union Steam Ship Company. Sir James was one of the pioneers of the shipping industry in the Dominion. In 1875 the U.S.S. Company was formed by him for the purpose of taking over the business and plant of the Harbour Steam Company, of Dunedin. The steamers taken over were the Maori, 174 tons; Bruce, 460 tons; Beautiful Star, 146 tons. The Taupo and Hawea had been ordered from Denny Bros., Dumbarton, before the company had been actually formed. ,

In 1883 the company bought out the Black Diamond Line of colliers, and in 1888 the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company. To accomplish the latter transaction the capital of the company was increased from £250,000 to £1,000,000. The ships taken over were the Talune, Oonah, Pateena, Flora (now an oil hulk in Waitemata Harbour), Corinna, Flinders, Mangana and Morton. The company's first big steamer was the Wakatipu, 1845 tons, which was built in 1876 by Denny's. First Steel Steamer. Early in its career the Union Company distinguished itself by building a remarkable steamer, the Rotomahana. She was launched from Denny's yards in June, 1879, and was said to be the first steel steamer in the world. On her trials she ran 15.380 knots, but 011 the voyage out to Port Chalmers the ship ran at speeds up to 17 knots—a marvellous performance in those days for her size and power, and for a compound job. The Union Steam Ship Company, which celebrated its jubilee in 1925, when

1 Sir James Mills presided, has played ' the role of experimeter in tlie South ; Pacific. In this it has had the assist- , a nee of Denny Brothers, and between them .they have evolved some remark- ■ able steamers, most of which have withs stood the ravages of time better tlmn their contemporaries. From the Roto- , mahana, 1777 tons, to the Aorangi, 23,000 tons, the first passenger motor ship in the Pacific, there was an interval of 40 years, and in that period the ; company, under the direction of Sir ' James, built many steamers and bought ■ others. The Loongana, 2448 tons, 6000 h.p., launched from Denny's in 1904, was the first turbine steamer to enter Australian and New Zealand waters. The Maheno, now lying wrecked on 1 Frazer Island, off Queensland, was the second turbine steamer to arrive in Australia, and was also the fir?t turbine steamer to cross the Pacific. Than there was the Koromiko, the first and only Union Company turret ship to trade in New Zealand waters. Career Of Sir James. Sir James Mills was born in Wellington on .Tuly 30. 1947. He was the third son of Mr. William Mills, who was long connected with the Customs Department, and who, after occupying the position of collector at Dunedin, Auckland and Christchurch, retired from the service in 1875 and died at Dunedin in 1900 at the age of 91. Sir James removed to Port Chalmers with his parents in 1849 and in 1552 his family took up their residence in Dunedin. His first experience of business was in the house of Messrs. James Macandrew and Company, which he left after a year's service, to join Mr. John Jones, who at that time carried on a large business in Dunedin as merchant and shipowner. The shipping department of Mr. Jones' business was afterwards converted into the company which traded under the name of the Harbour Steam Company. On the death of Mr. Jones, Mr. Mills, who had for some time previously managed the company's affairs, was appointed manager of the Harbour Steam Company, a position which he held until he formed the Union Steam Ship Company in 1875. From 1873 to 1875 Sir James, who was then still Mr. Mills, was a member of the Provincial Council of Otago for Waikouaiti, and from 1887 to 1893 he M.P. for Port Chalmers. In 1904 he was made an honorary associate of the .Australian Institute of Marine Engineers, and in 1907 he attended the navigation conference in London as one of the representatives of New Zealand shipping. He was knighted that year, and made K.C.M.G. in 1909. Sir James was also a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England. For many years he has resided in England, but he made frequent visits to New Zealand. The funeral will take place in London on Monday.