| Hunter | David | | | He was born, Jan 24 1841, at Broxburn, and was educated at the Parish and Free Church Schools, Kirkliston, Linlithgowshire. He entered the service of the North British Railway Company, Edinburgh, as an apprentice in the Accountants' Department, 1853 and served successively in the Stores, General Superintendent's, and General Manager's Depts. till 1879, when he was appointed by the Secretary, of State for the Colonies to the office of General Manager of Natal Government Railways at their inception. In 1881 and 1882 his services to the military authorities during the Boer War were noticed in despatches by General Sir Evelyn Wood, and he received the thanks of the Secretary, of State. In the same year he was appointed by the Governor a Commissioner of the Natal Harbour Board. In 1883 he was elected first President of the Natal Caledonian Society. In 1890 he was created a member of the Executive Council of the Colony under Royal Sign Manual, and was a member of the Harrismith Hallway Conference. In 1892-3-4 he was a delegate of the Natal Govt, to the Govt, of the (late) SAR on Railway Extension to Johannesburg, which ultimately was arranged under agreement, the construction of the line being carried out by Natal in 1894-5, he representing the Govt, as contractor. He represented Natal in various conferences on Railway and Harbour questions at Cape Town, Pretoria, East London, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein. He originated and was the first Chairman of the SA Railway Officers' Conference, Pietermaritzburg, 1897. Elected Chairman of Port Advisory Board, 1898, and was a member of Coal Industry Commission, appointed by Govt, in same year. He was first President of Durban Church Council, 1899; was elected Chairman of Colonial Reception Committee in connection with Royal visit to Natal, 1901. Sir David's services during the Boer War (1899-1902) were mentioned in the despatches by Generals Sir George White, Sir Redvers Buller, Field Marshal Lord Roberts, and Lord Kitchener. He was Chairman of the SA Congregational Union in 1903, and Chairman of the Technical Education Commission, 1904-5. He married, Oct 5, 1865, Margaret Gordon Laing, second daughter of Robert Laing, of Mossy Mill. Colinton, near Edinburgh. | Natal Government Railways |
