OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17732, 7 April 1923, Page 17

OBITUARY.

AIR JAMEri SAMSON. (SPECIAL TO "IHE I'BESS."j DUNEDIN, April 6. Mr James Samson. w(io.,e aeatli at Wellington was reported yesterday, v. ;ia born at Ochiltree, Ayrshire. Scotland, and came out to New Zealand in the early sixties. After spending some time on the West Coast * lie went to Central Otago, and later opened stores at several townships, these including the first drapery shop in Naseby. At one time he was Mayor of Alexandra, and was to a large extent responsible for the formation of the' Alexandra Brass Band and the building of the Alexandra bridge. In 1879 Mr Samson came to Dunedin, and established an auctioneering firm in George street. Later, he carried on business as »n auctioneer, and opened the rooms in Bowling street which are now owned by his-son, and carried: 011 under the style of Messrs J. M. Samson and Co Tli© deceased was a member of the local Caledonian Society, and worked indefatigably in its interests. The funeral will take place at Christchureh to-morrow. Mr Samson was pre deceased bv bis wife by two or three year=. His three sons are: Messrs J. JL Samson C.Director of Repatriation'), J. M. Samson (auctioneer. Dunedin). and W. W-. Samson of the Supreme Court, Dunedfn). MR. F. BELLRINGER. (pIiESS ASSOCIATION TEXEGKAII.! NEW PLYMOUTH, April 6. The death is announced Mr Fred C. J. Bellringer, for many years superintendent of the New Plymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade, and prominent in Masonic circles and in public matters. He was one of the principals of a firm of hardware merchants.