BUSINESS PIONEER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 859, 31 December 1929, Page 10

BUSINESS PIONEER

LATE MR. JAMES KING WORK IN HAWKE’S* BAY A pioneer in the commercial life of Hawke’s Bay, Mr. James King, died at Napier last evening at.the age of 86. Mr. King' opened the business of Dalgety and Company at Napier in the year 1886 in conjunction with the late Mr. John Kinross Goudy, and the success of the firm’s wool and stock operations in the favourite province was due in no small measure to his thorough methods and business ability. A man of strong character and whose word was his bond, Mr. King was as popular with the small Maori client as he was with the big squatter, and the name “Dalgety’' was, from the inception of the branch, synonomous with high and fair business dealing. In 1909 Mr. King was superannuated and has since lived quietly in retire-

ment. Prior to joining Dalgetys he was with the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., Christchurch, and later served with Messrs. W. M. Bannatyne and Company, Ltd.. Wellington, in association with Sir Harold Beauchamp, holding for a period (during the latter’s absence abroad) the New Zealand power of attorney for the firm. The late Mr. King was predeceased by his wife, who died three years ago, and leaves three sons—Mr. Herbert King, shipping manager for Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Company, Ltd., of this city, Mr. Donald King, of Hastings, and Mr. Twynehame King, of Wairoa. The youngest son, Allan Ashford, died some years ago. Mr. King was a prominent member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church until forced to retire from failing health. For many years he was an elder and clerk of the kirk session.