DEATH OF MR JOHN DUNCAN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 6

DEATH OF MR JOHN DUNCAN

END OF LONG AND USEFUL LIFE.

Mr. John Duncan, a well-known figure in commercial and volunteer circles, died at HoretiUuiga .yesterday morning, after a somewhat protracted illness.

The late Mr. Duncan wiis born in Aberdeen. ScoMand, eighty years ago last April, and completed his education at tlio Aberdeen University. At the early ase of twenty-one years he went to Ceylon, where he bcamo manager of a bank, and in 1880 came to New Zealand, as a member of tho special settlement then heiiiL' established at Te Puke. Two'years later he came to Wellington and joined Messrs. W. 11. Levin and Company, general merchants and stock and station anents. with which firm he had been identified, ever since. In 189G the firm wue converted into a limited > liability company, and Air. Duncan was appointed managing director, retaining that position until March, 1904, when ho was appointed chairman of directors—a position that ho had occupied over since. A shrewd, sound man of business, of unimpeachable integrity, untiring in the conduct of office, affairs, highly respected bv- clients, and nn employer whom it was a pleasure to serve, the late Mr. Duncan for many-years occupied a position in the public life, of the Dominion which is at tained bv few who have not sought to I exploit the wide spheres of activity associated with local or general. politics, and his advice was always cheerfully riven and invariably .appreciated. In 1830 ho was appointed Consul for PortuK.il, and in the same year was elected chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Apart from business concerns, the late Mr. Duncan achieved well-merited distinction for the invaluable work he did in connection with the volunteer movement to tho development of which he contributed' an energy and enthusiasm that bore' valuable and far-reaching results. He had been associated with the volunteers in the Old Country, and soon after his arrival in the Empire City he took over the command of the Wellington Navals. One of his first ideas was the necessity for training the navals in garrison artillery duties, tho need for a yearly period of.training in camp,, and that, it should be part of the duty ot the. -men of hie unit to be so 1 rained that Ahev coultf assist the Permanent Force in submarine work. Tho idea was not too favourably considered by the Defence authorities, who were apparently of opinion that volunteers could not bo turned into specialists in such a brief period, but Mr.' Duncan insisted on taking his men into camp at the forts once a year, and morning and night, during that period (they followed their usual avocations during tho day) they were subjected to instruction that in course of time convinced the authorities of its merit, and was adopted by other companies, both in the North ami South Islands. When Colonel Fox, New Zealand's first commandant, inspected the work of the eomnanv. shortly after his arrival, ho .not only endorsed Captain Duncans scheme of operations, but drew up regulations making the annual camp compulsory. Tha results achieved by Cnptam Duncan under the system he formulates afford remarkable proof of what can be done bv an energetic officer and enthusiastic men. even in spite of great obstacles, and many disappointments. By nature a stern disciplinarian, he had tho sift of handling men, which, combined with a splendid physique, made the commander of the Wellington Navals one of the most conspicuous figures in volunteer circles, ana' all who took an interest in \olnntepviiiK in those days will remember I lii! personal pride Hint the men took in servins? under him, and proving to lull demonstration the value of his advice, experience, and control. Mr. Duncan leaves a family of one dn-shtor (Mils Ethel D. Duncan), and three sons-Messrs. Kenneth, Arthur, and lan Duncan-besidcs throe sjrandsons mid five ■α-anddaughters. The interment will be private.