LOWDEN, JOHN (1845-1924) was born in County Durham, and educated at an elementary school in Gateshead. Apprenticed to engineering, he served in his father's works at Sunderland. In 1879 he came in the Taranaki to Otago, bringing his own engineering material; and for some years he was in business in Oamaru. Lowden erected the machinery in the Mataura paper mill, of which he had charge for some years. In 1883 he again entered into business for himself. He was nine years a member of the Mataura town board, and was on the first borough council, being elected mayor on 10 occasions between 1903 and 1921. He was a member also of the Southland hospital and charitable aid boards and the Bluff Harbour Board (1918), secretary and chairman of the school committee, and for 40 years an elder of the Mataura Presbyterian Church. Lowden died on 21 Apr 1924.

N.Z. Herald, 22 Apr 1924.

Reference: Volume 1, page 269

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