OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20793, 12 August 1929, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR J. A. POTTER. In the death of Mr J. A, Potter, which took place in London on June 19, at the age of 78, there passed away one of the most popular figures in the New Zealand shipping trade. He had been connected with the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company for about halt a century, having been appointed manager of the company in September, 1883, general manager in June, 1910, and a director in November, 1911. He resigned his position ns general manager in November, 1924, but remained a director of the company up to the time of his death. His loss will be felt by a large circle of friends (remarks Fair Play). His experience in shipping ranged from sailing ships to the most modem steamers in the New Zealand trade, and the success of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company was largely due to his foresight and keen management, the company to-day being one of the most prosperous shipping companies in Britain. Mr Potter had been connected with the frozen meat trade from Now Zealand from its inception; in fact, his company opened the country’s frozen meat trade with the sailing ship Dunedin, of about 1200 tons. She loaded at Port Chalmers, and arrived in London Docks on May 24, .1882, after a passage of 98 days, with 4460 sheep and 449 lambs, and out of the whole cargo only one sheep was condemned. The freight was 2}d per lb. After the success of the Dunedin, the Marlborough, another fast sailer belonging to the Albion Shipping Company, was chartered, and each took Home very successfully about half ji dozen cargoes of mutton. They were again loaded with frozen meat in 1890, and left New Zealand within six weeks of each other, but were never heard of again. After the Albion Company was amalgamated with Messrs Shaw, Savill and Company in 1882, and the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company was formed, Mr Potter went to London‘from Glasgow as manager. He took a keen interest m everything connected with the shipping industry. He was vice-chairman of the Shipping Federation, and was on the committee of the General Shipowners’ Society and on committees connected with the Ministry of Munitions, Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Labour; -was on the National Insurance Committee, and was chairman of the London Shipowners’ Dock Labour Committee, of the Australasian Refrigerated Tonnage Committee, and of the British Steamship Liners’ Association Committee,

MRS E. ERWIN. The death occurred on Friday of Mrs Esther Erwin, wife of the Rev. Dr R. Erwin, who is very well known in Christchurch as one who had taken a prominent part in the activities of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs Erwin was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1853. She came to New Zealnad about 45 years ago,, and was here married to Mr Erwiu, Mr Erwin was for many years minister at the North Belt Church, Christchurch, now known as Knox Church. He retired from the active ministry about ten years ago, though he occasionally has conducted services since then. Dr Erwin, in common with his wife, had Belfast as big birthplace. He was educated at the Queen’s University and studied divinity at the Assembly’s College, Belfast. Owing to ill-health, Mr Erwin came to New Zealand in 1883, and resided for seven months at Otahuhu, but received a call to Christchurch in 1883. He has always taken a prominent part in Church government and was Moderator in 1897. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Assembly College, Belfast, in 1897.

MR A. E. BRAUND. Mr A. E. Brannd, chairman and managing director of Messrs Gollin ami Co., Ltd., died at Sydney on Saturday, •Inly 27, following an attack of pneumonia. Mr Braund, who was aged 02 years, was an outstanding personality in Australian merchant interests. After having been associated with Messrs Wills and Company, in Western Australia, he joined the firm of Gollin and Company. After service in Adelaide he went to Melbourne in 1905, as manager of the Melbourne office. In 1007 he went to Sydney, where he had lived since.