Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Mr. James Allen , B.A., M.H.R. J.P., member for the Bruce electorate, began his political career in 1887, when he defeated Sir Robert Stout, then Premier, for Dunedin East. In 1890 he stood for Dunedin city, in which his former electorate had been incorporated, but owing to the change in electoral divisons was defeated, though only by a narrow majority. In the following year, however, he was returned by Bruce, the representation of which had been resigned by Mr. Thomson, and since then he has continuously represented that district. Mr. Allen was born in South Australia in February, 1855, and was brought to New Zealand when he was two years of age. Four years later he was sent to England, where he was educated at private schools till 1869, and at Clifton College till 1874. At Clifton he gained a scholarship for natural science, and immediately afterwards entered Cambridge University, where he graduated B.A. in 1877. At the end of that year he sailed for Dunedi in the ship “Calypso,” and during the followig six years managed the property he was possessed of in the city and elsewhere. In 1884 he returned Home and spent the three subsequent years in studying at the Royal School of Mines, South Kensington, London, where he gained the Bessemer and De La Beche medals He has since turned this knowledge to practical account, as he is the largest shareholder in the Allandale coal company, and is extensively interested in gold mining. As a public man Mr. Allen has taken a keen interest in mining legislation, and education, and with respect to finance he is one of the keenest critics in the House of Representatives. He is also actively interested in literary work, as a frequent contributor to the daily papers upon current topics, and has written several pamphlets upon political problems; his latest production in this line being an instructive pamphlet upon the Cook Islands and neighbouring islands. He was a member of the Dunedin City Council for about two years, but resigned in 1884, when leaving for England. In earlier life Mr. Allen was a good all-round athlete. While at Cambridge he was an active oarsman and footballer, and he was captain of the Otago Football Club when, in the early eighties, it defeated New South the Canterbury team. He was at one time president of the Otago Rugby Union, and a member of the committee, and has been for many years president of the Albion Cricket Club. Mr. Allen is a churchwarden at All Saints', Dunedin. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Richards, of “Alford,” Somersetshire, England, and has three sons and three daughters.