OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1931, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN LANE

The death is announced by the Press Association from Ashburton of Mr. John Lane, of Messrs. Lane, Walker, and Budkin, proprietors of the Ashburton Woollen Mills, and formerly one of the owners of the Timaru mills, at the age of 81.

The late Mr. John Lane Teas one of the principals of the firm of Lane, Walker, and Budkin, woollen and hosiery manufacturers, of Ashburton and Christehurch. Mr. Lane came from Scotland to New Zealand with his wife and family in. 1881, making the voyage in the old sailing ship Nelson. He soon obtained employment with the Dunedin firm of Boss and Glendining, proprietors of the Boslyn Woollen Mills, as wool classer and wool buyer. In the 'nineties he joined with five others in the purchase of the Timaru Woollen Mills, which were very successfully operated. At the end of the partnership period of ten years Mr. Lane, with one of his partners, Mr. Pringle Walker, retired from the Timaru concern and acquired the Ashburton Woollen Mill. This property has been considerably enlarged, and its operations were extended by an amalgamation with Budkin's hosiery factory in Christehurch. ■ Tor a long period Mr. Lane was a familiar figure at wool sales in various parts of the Dominion, but it is some years since he retired from actiye participation in business. He was a staunch member and officebearer of the Presbyterian Church, in the affairs of which he was an ardent worker and generous supporter. He was one of the founders of St. Andrew's (Presbyterian) College in Christehurch, and for a period was a member of the Board of Governors of that institution. He was twice married, and is survived by his widow, six sons, and one daughter. Mr. A. B. Lane, manager of the Press Association, Wellington, is his second son.