Captain James Skene.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4017, 12 November 1881, Page 2

Captain James Skene.

It is our painful duty to announce the death of a highly respected citizen and an old resident of the Thames, Captain James Skene, which sad event occurred early this morning from inflammation of the brain. Mr Skene has had indifferent health for some years past, and for the last ten days has been confined to his bed. Yesterday a change for the better set in, but it was of short duration, for coming towards evening unfavourable symptoms showed themselves, and after.a night of extreme suffering he died at 8 o'clock this morning. Captain Skene was a native of Tasmania, and a son of Major Skene, a magistrate, and a gentleman who for many years held high official positions in that island. The subject of our'notice received a liberal education, and early showed the.possession of excellent business qualities—so much that he was appointed while quite a young man, manager of the National Bank of Victoria at Sandhurst. He filled that position with great credit to himself for several years, but resigned in order to go into general busi« ness, and formed the firm of Skene and McPherson, auctioneers and general commission agents. He bad always taken a great interestNin volunteer matters, and held a commission in one of the local corps. When (he New Zealand Government in 1863 called for men to serve in the Waikato, Capt. Skene offered his services and enrolled 150 men with whom he came on to Auckland, i-f c served with credit during the war, holding many important commands. At the opening of the Thames Cipt. tikene took up his residence in Grahamslown, and started, in company with a Mr Jackson as mining agents. He also raised the first volunteer corps on the Thames, and for years took an interest in military matters. Of late years Capt. Skene has been auctioneer for the firm of Gellion and Co.