Lundon, David, 1846-1931 (Person)

David Lundon was born in Australia in 1846 and came to New Zealand aged two, with his parents.  He was educated in Auckland at St. Patrick's School and Rev. John Gorries Academy.

He was apprenticed as a saddler but later became a successful building contractor in Tauranga and Auckland.  He was contracted to build such notable Tauranga buildings and residences, as Topcroft, Hillsdene, Woodhill, the Yorkshire Grey Hotel and the early Police House.

David Lundon served with the Auckland Militia and saw service at the Drury Rising in 1863.   He then married Sarah Buchanan Waddell and moved to  Tauranga in 1867, joining the Bay of Plenty Cavalry.  After his service as a despatch rider, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr J. Conway, the firm of Conway and Lundon being well known for many years in Tauranga.  He then had a business as an auctioneer and commission agent and always took a keen interest in politics, both local and Government.

He was a member of the first Town Board, was Chairman of the County Council, a member of both the School Committee and Licensing Bench, as well as being a Justice of the peace.

He was Mayor of Tauranga for four years during which time he was instrumental in obtaining Mount Maunganui as  a recreational reserve.

He and his wife lived at "Claremont" in Ōtūmoetai (later owned by Mr W. Darragh) and farmed in the Pongakawa district.  They lived in Rotorua for a while but retired to Remuera, Auckland.  They had two sons and four daughters.