BROWN, JAMES CLARK (1830-91) was born at Macclesfield, Cheshire, the son of a British naval officer; educated at a private school in the neighbourhood, and apprenticed to a merchant. In 1852 he emigrated to Victoria, where he was occupied in mining for a few years. His friends in England having sent out a small steamer, the Macclesfield, Brown ran it for a few years without loss in the trade between Sydney and Tasmania. In 1861 he sold it and came to Otago for the diggings, entering into business as a storekeeper at Wetherstones, Queenstown and Gabriel's Gully. He became a substantial merchant.

In 1865 he was elected to the Otago Provincial Council for Lawrence, in 1867 for Goldfields and in 1871 for Tuapeka, which he represented until 1875. In 1870 he was elected M.H.R. for Bruce and the following year for Tuapeka, which he represented until 1890 (when he was defeated by Valentine). He took a great interest in mining and in the Lawrence railway, which he was mainly instrumental in promoting. He was a liberal supporter of charities. Brown married (1879) the widow of Dr Ebenezer Halley. He died on 6 Feb 1891, and his widow in 1938.

Otago P.C. Proc.; Kinross; Evening Star, 7 Feb 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 67

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