ALEXANDER MONTAGUE was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1815. He was eclucated at a County School and private seminary. After leaving school he was occupied in farming pursuits, but at the age of 26 emigrated to Australia, remaining in Sydney till 1848, when he came to Coma, then only a cattle station. In 1850 at the first sale of land after the proclamation of Coma as a township Mr. Montague purchased an allotment on the northern boundary of a Reserve for a market (now Centennial Park). There he erected of slabs, and roofed with bark, premises which were the first stores in what is now the business part of Coma, and for many years afterwards had a spirit merchants' license issued to him in respect thereof. The business proved a very profitable one, and he was enabled after about six years to purchase the Coma Run. On the 8th April, 1857, he sold to Messrs. John Alexander and David Ryrie Bros. 7712 sheep at 12/- per head, together with 800 head of cattle bearing the brand of the (then) late James Kirwan, J K and his own brand A M for 3 pounds per head. Delivery was to be given on 31st May, 1857, and on payment in full by Messrs. Ryrie Bros. of the purchase money, the last installment of which did not fall due till 8th April, 1858, Mr. Montague agreed to transfer to them all his right and interest to the Coma Run. He also undertook to give up his rights to the said brands. The witness to the sale note was Richard Popham, who was at that time Inspector of Sheep for Maneroo. The James Kirwan, whose brand is referred to above, is Cooma's first Innkeeper, who was also the holder of the Coma Run. Mr. Montague subsequently bought and built up Numerella and Dooloondoondoo Stations.

Numerella comprised in later years 161O acres of freehold and 7086 acres of selected land, and carried 9000 sheep. The secured land at Dooloondoondoo amounted to 400 acres, and here a large number of cattle were grazed. Apart from these properties Mr. Montague held large quantities of town lands and had various areas at Bunyan. His total holdings, outside his station properties, were estimated, at one time, at an improved value of 13,000 pounds

In 1861 he was appointed a Magistrate. In the same year he built at Coma, where his descendants live to day, the first steam flour mill to be worked on Monaro. The mill was on the stone system, and was capable of turning out 4 1/2 tons per day. Wheat was sent to it for gristing from the far distant parts of Manaro, and in the season it appears to have been kept fairly busy. In 1872 Mr. J. E. Body took over and worked the mill. At the same time that he was conducting his store and running the Mill, Mr. Montague was following squatting pursuits, in the earlier years dealing largely with cattle. These he sent to Victoria. One deal on 27th May, 1855, with John Cosgrove, of Billylingera related to 803 head of cattle, and another shows him agreeing to deliver to John Johnson, of Newburn Park, Gippsland, on 15th January, 1865, 300 bullocks Numeralla Station, bred 3 to 6 years old at 3 pounds per head.

In 1862 Mr. Montague built in Sharp Street, not far from where he had been carrying on business. a substantial two-storied stone building. This he leased to the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney till December, 1882, and in January 1883, obtained a new tenant, in the Australian joint Stock Bank. The. old building still remains. About 24 years ago it was sold to Mrs. M. Sands, and altered and added to, is occupied as offices by Mr. F. F. Mitchell, and as a Dental Surgery by Mr. H. V. S. Wells.

In 1863 he decided to try New Zealand as a market for his cattle, and on 31st December of that year, by his Sydney agents, E. and E. A. Levy, was the charterer from Mr. R. B. Pringle, of the ship "Uruguay," of 320 tons, for the conveyance of cattle from Twofold Bay to Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand. The charter was for three trips and the freight per trip was 600 pounds ill luck followed the venture. Pleuro breaking out amongst the stock prevented their landing, and bad weather was responsible for about 200 being thrown overboard. In August 1864, he was advised by Messrs. Morrison Law and Guires of Invercargill, that your "cattle ex 'Uruguay', along with those ex 'John Temperley' and 'Aleeta', are apparently recovering from the pleuro which has been raging amongst those consignments and though the cattle are now in quarantine we hope the Government will shortly allow us to remove them." The result of the experiment was that instead of the 5,000 pounds he expected, Mr. Montague, after 12 months' waiting, received a Postal Order for 12/6.

In 1867 he was treasurer of the movement for the erection of the buildings for Coma Hospital, and in conjunction with Archdeacon Druitt played a large part in the consummation matter.

From January, 1875, till October, 1877, Mr. Montague represented Manaro in the Legislative Assembly, during which time he tabled a resolution calling for a trial survey without delay, of a line of railway from Goulburn to Coma, via Tarago, Bungendore, Queanbeyan, and Micalago.