OBITUARY.

■ ' '■♦■ ■ '■■ ' ' SIR WILLIAM GRANTHAM. By Tclegmph.— Press AsMcittHOM.—CepyrigUk, (Received December 1, 9 a.m.) LONDON. 30th November.' Sir William Grantljam, Judge of th« Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, is dead. • [The late Mr. Justice Grantkam waft born on 23rd October, 1855, and educated at King's College School. He be* came a barrator of the Inner Temple in 1863, and a Q.C. in 1877. He was a Bencher of tho Innor Temple, and for & time chairman of the East Sussex Quarter Sessions. In 1886 he was mad© a Judge of the 'High Court of Justice, From 1874 to 1885 he was' member for East Surrey in the House of Conimonu, and in 1886-86 represented Oroydon, Greatly interested in tho land question, he originated many local organisation* to keep the labourer on tho land. Ho loaves a family of two sons and four daughters. In February loat Sir William created a sensation at the Liverpool Assizes by repudiating what he do* scribed as a charge of political partisanship arising out of his_ decision in tha Yarmouth election petition case in 190S« He said that since that time scarcely « week had passed without threatening and insulting lettcrt being received hy him. He denied all partiaanship, and said' ne' was astonished at the charge. It may be explained that a* the elation, mentioned, Mr. Arthur Fell, a brothw of Dr. Fell, of Wellington, was returned itt , the Conservative interest for Great Yarmouth. A petition was lodged agoinsb hits election on the ground of bribery. The petitioii wa* dismissed, Mr. Justice ■Channel being in favour of granting it, and Mr. Justice Gnmthani against. Thd matter was discussed in tho House of Commons in consequence of a memorial signed by 347 members. During th« debate, the late Sir J. Lawson Walton, blian Atto«iey>Gon«3 i al, deplc-rcd My. Justice Grantham's demeanour, bub agreed that he was honest and straightforward, though an intemperate partisan, After his outburst in February la«t, the House of Commons again discu«e*d Hiv William. Mr. Asquith ■ said that the judge had signally violated the obligation of the Bench to abstain fri^tn cnticLsing Parliament, aim had createtl a unique situation. One of the London papers thought Sir William's outburst «rafi a swan-sim^ — a preliminary to lits ' retirement. Sucli did not prove to ba tho case.]