OBITUARY

SIR JAMES COATES (PKESS ASSOCIATION TEUOBAIf.) AUCKLAND, October 11. One of the most distinguished figures in the history of New Zealand banking, Sir James Hugh Buchanan Coates, formerly general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, died to-day. Some months ago Sir James's health caused grave anxiety, but he made a good recovery, and until last week he was able to pay his accustomed visits to the city. Sir James, who was born In Auckland 84 years ago, belonged to a family which has been associated with the city of Auckland from its very earliest days. His father, whose name was also James Coates, was an English barrister, and he served as private secretary to the first Governor of New Zealand, and the founder of Auckland, Captain William Hobson. In 1889 Sir James Coates joined the Bank of Naw South Wales. Four years later he joined the National Bank of New Zealand, in the service of which he had a notable career. He was appointed general manager in 1893, occupying the position until 1914, when he went to London to become a director of the bank at the head office. His residence there was coincident with the period of the Great War, as many New Zealand soldiers have cause to recollect with pleasure, for hundreds of soldiers on leave from France partook of the open-handed hospitality of "Uncle Jim" as he came to be affectionately called. It was in 1919 that he returned to New Zealand with the status of honorary director of the bank, making his home first in Wellington and then for the remainder of his life in Auckland. In recognition of his many public services the rank of Knight Bachelor was conferred upon him in 1922. Sir James was unmarried.

MR R. E. MANLEY (PBZSS ASSOCIATIOB TELZaiIAM.) WELLINGTON, October 11. The death has occurred of Mr Robert Edwin Manley, a highly esteemed Wellington business' man, aged 59. He spent some years farming and later entered business in Wellington as a land agent, and was a past president of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. MR J. W. WARD (PRESS association T2LZOKIM.) WELLINGTON, October 11. An early resident of Wellington, Mr J. W. Ward, died at his residence in his eighty-ninth year. He was born in Essex, England, and arrived in Wellington by the ship Jane Douglas in J873. He was employed by the Wellington City Council until 1920, when he retired on superannuation. MR A. H. DAVIS (UWITED FBBBS ASSOCIATION —COPTBIOHT.) (Received October 11, 9.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 11. The death has occurred, at the age of 67, of Mr Arthur Hoey Davib, better known as Steele Rudd, the name under which he wrote. [Mr Davis was burn and brought up in the country, and as a boy worked on fheep and cattle stations. Alter he had risen to a high position in the Queensland Civil Service he began to contribute stories of life on Australian farms, first to the Brisbane press and later to the "Bulletin." His first book, "On Our Selection," was a remarkable success, and for a time all his work was extremely popular. He leaves four children.]

MR E. B. MCDONALD The death took place in Wellington yesterday of Mr Ernest Bernard McDonald, who was a well-known interprovincial Rugby Union footballer with possibly a wider experience than any other player in New Zealand. Educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, he represented his school in 1901, and four years later gained his colours for Wellington. He then came to Christchurch, and was a member of the Canterbury team that defeated combination in 1908. Transferred again to Wellington, Mr McDonald played for his province in 1912, and he also played for the West Coast and Auckland. After the war Mr McDonald was captain of the Otago team, and on coming back to Christchurch he took control of the Marist team, which won the Canterbury championship for five years in succession. Although he was at an age when most players have retired, Mr McDonald took his place when required behind the Marist forwards, and as half-back or five-eighths he proved the brains of a really good team. A great tactician, he was recognised as a very solid player, equally good on defence and attack and ever ready to open up the game and provide spectacular iootbalL As recently as 1922 he was in the trial matches for Canterbury honours when a sprained i-akle put him out of action. But for this accident he would have established a record that few will ever equal. Mr McDonald was on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales for many years, and was stationed at different periods in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, West Coast, Wellington, and Wanganui. In recent years he was employed in the Lands and Survey Department in Wellington. He leaves a widow and two children and a brother, the Rev. Father A. McDonald, S.M., who is parish priest at St. Mary's, Manchester street. Father McDonald left last evening to attend his brother's funeral, which will take place in Wellington this morning.

MR G. F. DUREY Mr George Frederick Durey, aged 74 years, who died at Harewood this week, was a well-known and highly respected resident of the district. He was a man of high integrity and was esteemed by all who knew him. As a young man he engaged in farming pursuits, which he continued until his death. A widow, four daughters, and six sons survive him, the eldest son, Fred., having given his life while serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France. The funeral, which was widely attended, took place on Wednesday at the Harewood Cemetery, the service being conducted by the vicar, the Rev. E. A. Osmers. The pall-bearers were Messrs L. S. and W. L. Durey, H. E. Hillier, C. R, Witty, H. and W. Nunweek.

Those present Included the family, Mr and Mrs T. Washbourne, Mr John and Miss Pannett, Mr and Mrs Ashley Cooper, Mr and Mrs R. Clark, Mr and Mrs W. Hockey, Mr and Mrs Lehrs, Messrs W. Wooldridge, Geo. Witty, W. J. Larcombe, Geo. and R. Stanley, D. Matson, F. Sisson, H. Frampton, J. Murray, H. and W.' Woods, J. Hockey, S. Harrington, G. Nunweek, E; and A. Pollard, A. and W. Wilkinson, E. Thornton, N. Donald, Leadenhanv T. .Burn, W. Barnes, W. Grant, C. Moore, K. and T. Dixon, B. McSaviney, E. Clark, W. Burrows, C. Donaldson, J. Stanley, Mesdames V. Green, W. Nunweek, sen:, and Miss Nunweek, Messrs T. Stanley, W. Hayton, H. Reid, M. Webb. H. Twose. L