H. M. Cockburn (Auctioneer)

H. M. Cockburn was a prominent auctioneer and commission agent in colonial era Ipswich. From at least 1861, and possibly as early as 1854, Cockburn was in business in Ipswich. Auctions were held in his auction rooms in Nicholas Street. This was the same site that would later be used by auctioneers Hughes & Cameron. Patrick Dwyer's coopery was next door and above Cockburn's premises during the 1860s. 

H. M. Cockburn auctioned real estate including vacant land and sheep stations. His business was chosen to auction the Horse & Jockey Hotel in Brisbane Street in 1862, one hundred building blocks in the Town of Churchill in 1863, and the Ipswich Cotton Plantation when it was sold off into separate blocks in 1864. Other goods auctioned included: produce, horses, saddlery and drays, bacon, butter, furniture, tallow, flour, wine & spirits, clothing and household items, cattle, sheep, jewellery and tobacco. John Murphy's insolvent estate was auctioned in 1864. Auctions were held in Cockburn's own rooms as well as at the sale yards and in Bremer Mills Store in East Street. 

Cockburn was involved in civic affairs, and as a JP he was involved in legal & court matters. He was secretary to the Ipswich Cotton Company before its demise. 

By 1869 Hughes and Cameron had taken over his auction rooms and Cockburn seems to have moved on.