Obituaries Australia

Mr. Dill, representative of Dalgety and Company, Limited, at present in this city, yesterday received a wire from Melbourne conveying to him the intelligence of the death of Mr. James Aitken, which occurred at his residence, Tassa, Toorak, at 9 o'clock. Mr. Aitken was the managing director of Dalgety and Company, Limited. About a month ago he underwent a serious surgical operation, which was performed by Dr. Bird, and was believed to be successful. He afterwards improved, and it was confidently hoped that he would recover until a few days ago, when he took a turn for the worse.

Deceased, who was about 70 years of age, was a native of Scotland, and arrived in Victoria with his brothers, David and George. The latter died some years ago. Mr. Aitken in the sixties purchased the Banyenong estate, in Victoria, which he worked until he sold it to a syndicate in 1888. Shortly afterwards he was appointed manager of the British and Australian Trust and Loan Company, Melbourne, and upon the death of Mr. James Blackwood he was offered the position of managing director of Dalgety and Company, Limited, which he accepted, and held until his death. Being a man of very wide pastoral experience, the practical knowledge he possessed was a great help to the business. He was greatly looked up to by those engaged in that industry.

Mr. Aitken was also a director in one or two of the banks and other financial companies in Melbourne. He was a prominent member of the Scots Church. His eldest son is now manager of the branch of Dalgety and Company at Geelong, and another (Mr. George Aitken) is manager of the stock department of the firm at Melbourne. Deceased left a widow and four sons and four daughters, two of whom are married, one at present residing in Scotland.