The Late Mr James M. Collins.

Manawatu Herald, 25 June 1896, Page 2

The Late Mr James M. Collins.

1 • j The notice of the death of this gentleman appearing in our obituary ' column will come with a shook to _ his many friends aud relatives in this ' colony. Mr Charles Collins only received a cablegram on Tuesday statl ing that his brother James had died v -, on Sunday. • The deceased gentleman was, years - ago. one of the pioneers in the flax industry, having arrived at Fozton in the year 1869 in company with the late Mr Charles Pownall, who brought with him machinery from Home to dress the leaf of the flax. A large mill was erected in, what is - even now known as the mill paddock, in Johnston-street, and for some time he experienced all the " difficulties which many have lately experienced. Mr Collins, prior to leaving England, was engaged in a large fibre broker's office, and it was 3 thought his experience would have i been uselul to him here. When flax-dre3sing had to be given up owing to the fall in values, the deceased acted as agent for the Messrs Johnston & Co. in this district, and the store on the Moutoa Road at the 3 foot of the ferry hili was where he held his stocks. On the death of hjs 'f father Mr Collins removed to Eng-* 0 land, and has since resided there, his 9 private house being at Sydenham. •• Shortly after his arrival in England he engaged in his old business of flax-broker, the firm, a well-known one, is known as Collins and Bastone. As his eldest son has entered a the office the firm is likely to be 0 carried on under the old title. Last year the deceased was attacked with *■> a serious illnes?, and it. was not ex*» c pected ho would weather the winter, 0 but he fortunately did so. In 1876 Mr James Collins married * Annie, the eldest daughter of our c esteemed settler, Mr T. U. Cook, at 3 All Saints', and has by her a large . family of sons and daughters, who all survive him. To them, and hia many relatives in this colony, we offer our sympathy. We understand that the life of the deceased was heavily insured, as is " the wise custom in the Old Country.