Obituaries Australia

Many people, not only in Dunedin, but throughout the colonies and elsewhere, will learn with regret of the death of Mr. Bendix Hallenstein, which took place at his residence in London-street on the 6th January.

Mr. Hallenstein. who was 70 years of age at the time of his death, was for very many years one of the most energetic business men in the colony. He was born at Brunswick, in Germany, in 1835, and was educated in Germany. He afterwards spent five years in an important shipping office in Manchester, and at the age of 22 years he came out to Victoria, where he remained for six years, when he decided to settle in New Zealand. For a year he was in Invercargill, and then removed to Queenstown—a very busy place at that time—and in 1866, with a partner (the late Mr. J. W. Robertson), he erected the first flourmill in the district: Mr. Hallenstein also carried on extensive farming operations a few miles out of Queenstown.' While actively engaged in business he devoted a largo amount of his time to local affairs, being Mayor of Queens town on several occasions, and also gave his services in the wider sphere of politics, being for some years the representative of his dis trict in the Otago Provincial Council, and in the House of Representatives. He resigned his seat in the House in 1873, but continued a member of the Otago Council until the abolition of the provinces in 1873. On taking up his residence in Dunedin, Mr. Hallenstein founded what has since proved to be one of the largest business concerns in the colony—the New Zealand Clothing Fac tory—and also took a share in the starting of the large tannery at Sawyer's Bay. The Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand, which was established in 1884, is another business that owes much to his enterprise. Hallenstein was a prominent member of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and has been a director of Messrs. ? Prosser and Co.'s New Zealand Drug Company, the National Insurance Company and the Westport Coal Company, and also held the office of Imperial German Consul at Dunedin. The helping hand of the deceased gentleman will be sorely missed bv the poor of all creeds, for, having an abundance, of this world's goods himself, he at all times displayed a commendable charitable spirit towards others. Four years ago he left Dunedin for an extended trip in the Home country and elsewhere, and returned eighteen months ago, since which time he has been practically an invalid and unable to take any active part in business. Mr. Hallenstein leaves a widow and three daughters, two of whom are Mrs. W. Fels and Mrs. L. S. de Beer. Mr. Hallenstein was a prominent member of the Jewish congregation and frequently served on the committee. The funeral took place on Sunday, the Sth January, and was very largely at tended by the congregation and the general public. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. A. T. Chodowski.