Obituary Notices. 
xxvn 
connection with the firm of Messrs John Stephenson & Co. ceased, 
and Mr Falshaw joined Mr Brassey as contractors for the construc- 
tion of the Inverness and Nairn and Elgin Bailway, Mr Falshaw 
taking the entire management. By himself he contracted for the 
upkeep for seven years of the Scottish Central and Scottish Mid- 
land Lines, and for the construction of the Denny branch Scottish 
Central Bailway, and the Portpatrick, Stranraer, and Glenluce 
Bailway. With Messrs Morkill & Prodham, two former assistants, 
he contracted for the Berwickshire Bailway and the Blaydon and 
Conside Branch of the North-Eastern. 
He became a director of various minor railways, manufacturing, 
hanking, shipping, and insurance companies, but never forgot the 
duty which he owed, to devote a portion of his time to the public 
good, and took the opportunity of a four years’ residence in Nairn 
to enter the Town Council, whereupon he was elected Senior Bailie. 
In 1858 Sir James Falshaw settled in Edinburgh, and at once began 
to interest himself in the affairs of the city. He was returned to 
the Town Council in 1861, and three years later he was elected a 
Bailie, and on the resignation of Mr James Cowan to become 
Member of Parliament for the city in 1874, he was elected Lord 
Provost. At this time the Town Council had to face many difficult 
questions, including the promotion of no less than three hills in 
Parliament; and the city of Edinburgh owes much to the energy and 
sagacity shown by Sir James Falshaw in all departments of the city’s 
work. He showed great zeal in making preparations when cholera 
threatened to visit the town, and he had a considerable share in 
passing the Improvement Trust Act, which has done so much for 
the health and amenity of Edinburgh. Among the improvements 
executed during his reign as Lord Provost may be mentioned the 
widening of Princes Street, the widening of the North Bridge, the 
opening of West Princes Street Gardens to the public, the covering 
in of the Waverley Market, and the purchasing of the Arboretum. 
Undoubtedly, the most important work of Sir James Falshaw’s 
municipal life was the introduction of the Moorfoot water supply 
into Edinburgh — a scheme in which he took a deep interest, and 
which was completed after his term of office as Lord Provost had 
expired, but while he was Chairman of the Works Committee of 
the Water Trust. His Baronetcy was conferred upon him in 1876, 
