SIR JAMES MILLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2127, 9 July 1907, Page 1

SIR JAMES MILLS.

SKETCH OF HIS CAREER. Sir James Mills, the managing director of tho Union Steamship Company, was born in Wellington in July 30, 1847, and is the third soil of the" late Mr. William Mills, who was long connected with the Customs Department of New Zealand, and who, after occupying the position of Collector at Dunedin, Auckland, and Christchurch, retired from the service in 1875. and died in Dunedin ii\ 1900. at the advanced ago of 91. Sir James removed with bis parents to Port Chalmers in 1849, and in 1852 his family took up their residence in Dunedin. His first experience of business was in the house of Messrs Mueanctrew and Company, which he left after a year’s service to join Mr. John Jones, who at that time carried on a large business in Dunedin as a 'merchant-shipowner. The shipping department of Mr. Jones’ business was afterwards converted into a company, which traded under the name of the Harbor Ste-pn pqmpany, and for some years the fleer of small steamers, owned by tho company, carried on a trade between Dunedin and neighboring ports. On the death of Mr. Jones, In 1859, Sir Jas. Mills, who had for some time previouly managed the affairs, was appointed manager of the Harbor Steam Company. a position which he held*until 1875. 11l that year a company was formed for the purpose of acquiring the interests of tjie Hfirhqn Steam Company, and embarking in a wider field of operations. Tills company was the now well-known Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, and on its initiation Sir Janies was appointed managing director, an office which he lias hold to this day.

Sir Janies. wjieij qqite yqiith, was elected 'member for Waikouaiti in the Provincial Council of Otago, and held his seat until the abolition of the Provincial Government in 1875. Oil the death of tlie Hon. James Macandrow, who represented Port Chalmers In the General Assemble Sir James filled the vacancy, and in 1887 lie took his scat as member for t]|at disjoint. At the next election, in 1890, he was opposed by the Hon. J. A. Millar, but was returned by a large majority. He finally retired fiqm political life in 1893. '

Sir James Mills is well known throughout the Australasian colonies as a supreme expert in all matters appertaining to shipping. He has made numerous trips to Emdand in connection with the company's business and lias been singularly successful in his negotiations with the various Governments with whom his company has entered into agreements iii connection with mail services. etc.. His name is inseparably associated with the rise and growth of the Union Steamship Company. Although the prosperity of the colony has contributed largely to tlie rapid growth of tlie company’s trade, still Sir James and his board of directors bad the foresight to make provision for the development of the country’s resources, and the exceptional business ability which tlie former lias shown throughout liis long term of authority lias been a leading factor in tiro company’s success.