THE LATE MR JAS. LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 29

THE LATE MR JAS. LONDON.

The announcement of the death of Mr James Loudon, which took place at his residence, at Walton Park, on Sunday morning, will bo received with very general regret by all who canie in contact with him. The deceased gentleman was born at Airdne, Lanarkshire, in 1839, and when about 20 years of age emigrated to Australia to join his elder brother, Mr Robert Loudon, who at that time had large mining interests m the Ovens district, Victoria. After spending some years in Victona he again, in the early sixties, followed his brother to Otago, ■where he had, along with Mr Andrew Pollock, becomo largely interested in the. Green Island coal mining industry, trading as the Lanarkshire Coal Company. On the retirement some yearß later of Mr Pollock, and on the death of his brother, Mr Loudon opened up and carried on in his own interests the Walton Park coal mine, which was subsequently merged into the 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, the late Mr E. B. Cargill being chairman of directors for the greater portion of its existence. On the 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 the business was a. prominent factor in the success that attended its development. Mr Loudon also earned on with considerable success a large storekeeping business at Walton Park for very many years. He was a man of wide knowledge and extensive experience, and as a large imployer of labour for a period extending over 40 years retained the confidence and esteem of all his employees to an exceptional degree — a just tribute to his high character for unswerving integrity and fairmindedness. He took the keenest interest 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 men. His various offices, such 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 the wider sphere of politics his health would rpt permit it, and he had to decline. His influence for good will be long felt in the district in which he lived. He ]eaves a widow and a large family, who will have the sincerest sympathy of a very wide circle of friends. At last Sunday's services at Green Island Presbyterian Church Dr Watt^ made feeling reference to Mr Loudon's death, and referred to his many high qualities. At the conclusion of the services the " Dead Marca" was played.