OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 149, 5 April 1933, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MRS J. B. BLACKLER. The death of Mrs Jessie Bell Blackler, at her residence, 74 Arthur Street, Timaru, on Sunday, removed another of the fast-diminishing band of early settlers of Ashburton. Mrs Blackler, who was 79 years of age, had suffered a comparatively short period of illness prior to her death. She was a resident of Ashburton nearly 60 years ago, when the settlement of the County had only commenced. The youngest daughter of Mr John Doyle, of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, Mrs Blackler was born at St. John's Dairy, and arrived in New Zealand at the age of 13 years in the sailing ship Selena, with her mother, three sisters, and her brother. She was married to Mr Blackler at Soufhbridge, and some years later came to settle in Ashburton, where Mr Bladder was foreman of works and inspector to. the Ashburton Borough Council for 25 years before he retired to live in Timaru about six years ago. Mrs Blackler was the first woman to cross the Rakaia traffic bridge, and the Ashburton railway bridge. Mrs Blackler leaves six children—Mesdames T. Crooks (Ashburton), T. Huston (Timaru), T. W. Tayler (Timaru), Messrs J. W. Blackler (Timaru), W. J. Blackler (Gore), and O. "F,. Blackler (Timaru). There are eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at Asnourton yesterday, and was attended by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr R, Kerr), Mr W. H. Rundle (a member of the Borough Council), Mr W. Patterson (Town Clerk), and members of the Borough Council's works staff. MR A. JAMES. DUNEDIN, April 4. Mr Alfred James, who had been a partner in the firm of Sievwright, James and Nichol, solicitors, since 1884, died to-day, aged 72. Ho was president of the Otago Law Society from 1909 to 1921, and was the originator of the Law Practitioners Bill. He is survived by his widow and one daughter.