OBITFAEY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 14, 9 May 1933, Page 5

OBITFAEY

MR. J. A. JOHNSTONE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 8. -The death occurred today at the age of 74 years of Mr. J. A. Johnstone, managing director and first chairman of directors of Messrs. "Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., with which firm he was associated for fifty-eight years. •Mr. Johnstone's close connection with the purebred stock-raising industry in New Zealand is illustrated by the reputation which he held for having sold more stud stock than any other man in the Dominion. He arrived in Otago in 1868, and joined the firm seven years later as a youth of 16, and it is/ characteristic of his indomitable energy' that .initen years lie became a junior partner, assuming senior partnership in 1899, on -the retirement of the founders. When the firm became a public company in 1906 he was the first chairman of directors, land he held the position of manag-: ing director till the time of his death. Commencing stock breeding on his own I . account thirteen years 'ago he established more than a Dominion-wide reputation as breeder of Corriedale sheep arid Scotch Shorthorn cattle. .Sheep from his Bushey Park stud during the past decade have been exported to North and South America, South Africa,' Great Britain, Australia, and . Japan,' " and have gained a show-ring record in the Dominion second to none. Though not a. prominent public man, Mr. Johnstone was keenly interested in the welfare of the community, and'for many years was connected with the Plunket Society as financial. adviser, and was a founder of the Karitane Products Company. Ho was also founder and president .for some years of'the Clydesdale Horse Society, and of the Otago branch of the Navy League. He is survived, by his wife and three daughters, one of whom is married.