Death of Mr. James Allan, OP. Hopehill

The death of another pioneer settler has to be recorded—Mr James Allan of Hopehill, Taieri, having died at his residence on Sunday morning at the comparatively early age of 67. It is but a few months ago since we recorded the death of his aged mother; so that the news published by us yesterday morning of Mr Allan's death came quite as a surprise to his many friends. Mr James Allan came to New Zealand as a young man of 24, arriving in Nelson with his father and other members of the family in 1842. Some six years later the family removed to Otago, and the deceased commenced business in Dunedin in partnership with Mr James Smith, now of Greenfield, as storekeepers and bakers, the site selected being that now known as Hardie's corner, but long famous as Bullen's corner. At that time the population was limited, and most of the settlers about Dunedin were content with home-made bread. The partners, herefore, finding that there was but limited scope for their energy, disposed of the business and turned their attention to agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and some 13,000 acres of land in the Tokomairiro district were leased. The advancing tide of settlement soon deprived the partners of most of their run. Meantime Mr Allan purchased for himself the freehold of some land at East Taieri, where the other members of his family had settled. Here he took up his residence with his young and growing family, and here he remained up to the time of his death. The freehold was added to from time to time until a few years ago the area was 5000 acres. Mr Allan's success as a farmer and breeder of stock was considerable, and his reputation was gained after many a keen contest in the show ring. Of late years he met with some reverses, but it cannot be said that these were due to any want of knowledge or painstaking effort on his part.

Mr Allan always took considerable interest in public affairs, and took his full share of duties which fall to the lot of public-spirited and energetic colonists. In 1870 he was elected, unopposed, for a vacancy in the representation of the Taieri in the Provincial Council, and continued with Mr Donald Reid and the late Mr James Shand to represent the district until the abolition of provinces. He was then elected a member of the Taieri County Council, and sat for several years. He took an active part in road board and school matters, and in every way assisted in every public movement for the advancement of the district. The respect in which he was held by his fellow settlers is abundantly shown by the fact of his being elected by them to the many public positions which he held. He was esteemed by all who knew him as a man of sterling worth, ever ready, when asked, to give advice or assistance. He leaves a widow and six sons and four daughters, all grown up.