OBITUARY.

JAMES WALKER BAIN.

INVERCARGILL, September 29. Mr James Walker Bain, one of Southland's pioneers, died somewhat suddenly at 8 o'clock this morning. Deceased was present in good health at the meeting on Tuesday night to hea? the views of those favourable to federation, but that night a serious internal trouble manifested itself, and, despite all that medical aid could do, liad a fatal termination as above. Mr Bain was born in Edinburgh, and, after receiving his education at the Free Church Normal School and afterwards at a private academy, entered into the service of Messiv, Oliver and Boyd, a well-known firm ol printers and publishers. He came to Otago in the ship Jura in 1858, and obtained employment in the office of the Otago Witness. About the beginning of 1861 he went to Invercargill and joined with the late Mr Smallneld in, establishing the first newspaper there — the first issue of the Southland News a-.ul Foveaux Straits Herald appearing on February 14, 1861. Some years later Messrs Smallneld and Bain sold out to Messrs Harnett and Co., and Mr Bain paid a visit to the Home country. After returning to the colony again he joined with Mr W. Craig in the repurchase of the Southland News, but Mr Bain sold his interest, and became proprietor of the Southland Times, which he conducted for several years, eventually selling out to a company. He then devoted his energies to financial business. Among the positions held was that of chairman of the local advisory board of the Scottish and New Zealand Investment Society, and president or the Southland Building Society, a position he has Imld continuously from the society's foundation over 30 years ago. Probably no other citizen was more identified with local politics than the deceased. He had been connected with the Southland Education Board for a great many years, :>ud bar] been chairman more than once. He was an old borough councillor and exmayor, a member of the Southland Charitable Aid Board and formerly its chairman, a member of the Southland High Schools Board, of the Otago School Commissioners, and other local bodies of lesser importance. He vas also an ex-president of the Caledonian Society, and in other capacities rendered public services. He took a keen interest for years in Masonic . affairs. He also took an active part in colonial politics, representing Invercargill in the General Assembly from 18*9 to 1881. The deceased gentleman has always taken a keen interest in the topics of the day, and he had lately taken an active part against the federation movement. Through his death Invercargill and Southland generally lose a straightforward and honest public man and a citizen of sterling worth. Deceased was 58 years of age, and leaves a widow and four daughters and three sons, all grown up. He is to be buried on Monday.