Thomas Logan

Thomas Logan (30 August 1835 – 12 August 1897) was a pioneer of quartz mining in Otago and was one of few early miners to win enormous wealth from gold mining in New Zealand.

Early life and family Logan was born on 30 August 1835 at St Bees, Cumberland, England. He moved to Australia following the Victorian gold rush, and married Mary Ann "Cissie" McGregor in Melbourne; they had three sons. However, a more recent revision of events, based on a more balanced review of the available literature, suggests that Logan did not swindle the businessmen. Instead, it is quite possible that the inexperience of the mining company was the reason for the Dunedin syndicate's demise. In any event, the Bendigo Quartz Mining Company was only to last a brief four months, ceasing operations in mid-1866.

Logan found investment to mine the reefs again in 1868 when together with William John 'Jack' Garrett, Brian 'Charcoal Joe' Hebden and George Goodger, he formed the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company. The initial returns were from the first ten days work, resulting in Bendigo's second gold rush.

Later life Logan sold his shares in the Cromwell Company for £15,000 in 1875 He joined in some of David Proudfoot's schemes, and continued to invest in mining, although often not successfully. He was buried at the Dunedin Southern Cemetery.