DEATH OF A LEGISLATIVE VETERAN.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 32, 7 February 1891, Page 2

DEATH OF A LEGISLATIVE VETERAN.

♦ [Bt Telegraph.] | united pbxsB association.] Dunedin, 6th February. Mr. J. C. Browu, ex-M H.R. for Tuapeks, died tbia evening of diabstes, after a brief illness. The late Mr. James Clarke Brown was a native of Maoclesfiold, Cheshire, where he was born in 1830: he was therefore in his 61st year. He was educated at Byron's sohool at Sutton, whioh he left at 17 years of age, entering a wholeßale grocery firm in Manchester, and three years later he commenced business for himself in his native town ; but after two years he emigrated to Victoria, and commenced a miner's life at Forest Creek, afterwards going to Ballarat and Mount Korong. In 1861 he oame down almost with the first rush to Otago, and started storekeeping at Lawrenoo soon after, having also branches in other goldfields towns. In 1861 he was sent to the Provincial Council of Otago to represent Tuapeka, and he cont nued to hold the seat till the abolition of the Provinces some thirteen yearß later. In 1869 he was returned to the General Assembly as member for Bruce, but he subsequently won both the Waikaia and Tnapeka seats, and represented the latter until the dissolution of the last Parliament. At the general election of 1887, Mr. Brown was returned during his absence in England, At the last general eleotion he was beaten by Mr. Valentine. He held offioo in the Otago Execntive for ft short time, and was for many years Chairman of the Tuapeka County Council, aa well as holding many other looal offices. He was one of the most skilful " whips" the House of Representatives has known, and although not a frequent or a brilliant speaker he was an indefatigable lobbyist, and exoroißed considerable party influence. Mr. Brown, a number of years ago, married the widow of the late Dr. Halley of Tuapeka. Mrs. Brown survives her husband, but there is no family. When at Home in 1887 Mr. Brown successfully floated the Blue Spur Mining Company, % good deal of litigation having since arisen out of the transaction. Of genial kindly manners, deceased was personally very popular, and hosts of friends will regret his death and sympathise with his widow.