THE LATE MR JAS. LOUDON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12738, 11 August 1903, Page 3

THE LATE MR JAS. LOUDON.

The announcement ot the death of Mr James Loudon, which took place at his residence, at Walton. Park, on .'Sunday morning, will be received with very general regret by all who camo in contact with him. The deceased gentleman was horn at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, in 1839, and when about 20 years ot ago emigrated to Australia to join his -elder brother, Mr Robert Loudon, who. at that tinio had large mining interests in the Ovens district, Victoria. After spending some years in Victoria ho again, in the early sixties,.followed his brother to Otago, whore he had, along with Mr Andrew Pollock, become largely interested in the Green Island coal mining industry,, trading ..as tho Lanarkshire Coal Company._ On the retirement somo years later ot Mr : Po'<lock,.£riu. on.the death of his brother, Mr Loudon operied'.up and carried on in his own interests tho Walton Park coal mine, which was subsequently merged into tho Walton Park Coal and Pottery Company (Limited). The company carried on its operations for.a considerable number of years under tho general management of Mr Loudon, tho late Mr E. B, Cargill being chairman'of directors for the greater portion of its' existence. On tho company being wound up Mr Loudon, along with Mr Robert Howorth, opened up the Jubilee Colliery, in 1897, which has proved a most successful venture, and is at the present time being extensively mined. This was managed by Mr Loudon, and his ripe experience of tho business was a prominent lactor in the success that attended its development. ; Mr Loudon also carried on with considerable success a large storekeeping business at'Walton Park for very many years. He was a, man of wido knowledge and extensive experience, And as a largo iniployer of labour for o. period extending over 40 years retained the confidence and esteem of all his employees to an,exceptional degree—a just trihuto to his high character for unswerving integrity and fnirmindedness. He took,the keenest iutorost. in all matters relating;' to. education and religion,.and never spared himself in his efforts to contribute to the welfare and improvement of his fellow mou. His various offices, suck as Mayor"of Green Island, chairman of school committee, or president'of the different local societies, were all filled with conspicuous-ability,, and-although repeatedly pressed to enter tho wider snhere of politics his health would wt permit it, and ho had to decline. His influence for. good will bo Jong felt in the district in which be lived. Ho 'eaves a widow and a largo family, who will have the sheerest sympathy of a very wido circle of friends. At last, Sunday's services at Green Island Presbyterian Church Dr Watt made feeling'reference ito Mr Loudon's death, and referred to his many high qualities. At the conclusion of tile services the " Dead March" was played. , I