TROUNSON, JAMES (1839-1929), who was born in Camborne, Cornwall, came to New Zealand in 1862 by the Hanover, with the Albertland settlers. He took up land at Paparoa and later bought property at Kaihu, which was covered in kauri bush. He engaged successfully in cattle dealing in northern Wairoa, and in sawmilling, and in 1899 established a butchery business at Dargaville and at Te Kopuru. Trounson was an original member of the Paparoa road board, the Hobson county council, and the Kaipara licensing committee, and an executive member of the New Zealand Alliance. In 1907 he was appointed to the Auckland land board. He was well-known as a lay preacher, and organised the local band of hope and the first Sunday school in the district, of which he was superintendent. Trounson presented to the nation 15 acres of his best kauri bush, which with an adjoining block purchased by the Government forms the Trounson Kauri Park. He died in Auckland on 23 May 1929.

Cycl. NZ, ii (p); Brett, Albertlanders; NZ Herald, 24 May 1929 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 201

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