OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18949, 14 March 1927, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES JAMIESON. In Mr James Jamieson, whoso death occurred late ou Thursday night, there passed away an old resident of Christchurch and a notable personality. The eldest son of the late Mr Samuel Jamieson, he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, m 18-31, and received bis carlv education in that city. Coming to Christchurch with his parents when ho was about 13 years ot ago, Mr Jamieson finished his education at the Scots College .(tbo forerunner of bt. Andrew's College) under the Key. Charles Frflser. Mis father had established a builder's and contractor's business on his arrival in the, city in 1864 and Mr Jamieson later joined him. o Mr Jamieson fell a.good deal of the rough pioneering building work in the back-country, the erection ot- homesteads and farm buildings. . ■.. A characteristic that; marked .Mr Jamieson throughout his life was his innato love of It ho beautiful, which found expression in his appreciation ol pictures and works of art generally, such as old jewellery. Of works ot sonic of the leading artists, Mr Jamieson had a valuable collection in which not only himself but his large circle ol friends' found constant pleasure and inspiration. During his lifetime ho travelled much and visited most of the principal European galleries, and also those of America, and from these trips he brought home many additions to his collections. He was one of the original members of the Canterbury Society of Arts and on several occasions occupied the office of president. Young artists of promise received from Mr Jamieson sympathetic encouragement which was not always confined to words. Some years ago Mr Jamieson presented to the Canterbury Museum and to the School of Art his collection of valuable rare articles of vertu, including quaint, old watches and snuff boxes of artistic design. A year or two ago, very generously be offered the citizens, through the City Council, his valuable collection of pictures, provided a new Art Gallery was built. It will be recalled that proposals to build such a gallery in the Botanic Gardens, on a site in the vicinity of the Bolleston avenue front, were submitted to the ratepayers, but the poll to authorise tbo raising or £25,000 resulted in the rejection of the proposal. It was one of the guiding principles of Mr Jamieson's life to endeavour to leave the world better than he found it and his feeling was that this could be accomplished, to a large extent, by providing opportunities for encouraging the love of the beautiful by means of art galleries and public gardens. An enthusiastic gardener himself, Mr Jamieson took a keen and direct interest in beautifying the City, and especially in tbo Botanic Gardens. Although he took no leading part as a. member of local bodies, he followed public affairs with close and intelligent interest. On the Christchurch Domains Board he served as the nominee of the Government for many years. Ho was en original member of the Christchurch Beautifying Association, and ever took the keenest interest in its activities. In addition to his service on these bodies, Mr Jamieson was on the directorate of a number of public companies in the City. For the past forty years his brother, Mr W. G. Jamieson, has been associated with Mr Jamieson in the business. He leaves one son—Mr J. F. K. Jamieson, farmer, South Canterbury—and three daughters—Mrs Frank Coop, of Kaituna; Mrs Stanley Harris, Prcbbletoii; and.Mrs George March, Rangiora. THE FUNERAL.

A cortege of nearly fifty cars followed the coffin to tho Addington Cemetery, where the interment took place, and the mourners included representatives of several local bodies and of tho Society of Arts. The chief mourners were Messrs W. G. Jamieson and H. C. Jamieson, brothers of the deceased, and the pall-bearers were his nephews, Messrs E. C. Jamieson, A. G. Jamieson, I. B. Jamieson, J. A. Jamieson, W. E. Jamieson, and S. Ellis. A service was conducted at the house by the Eev. N. L. D. Webster, and a short graves!do sctvicc was conducted by the Eev. Mr Webster and Canon \V. S. Bean. Wreaths were received from the following:—Mr and Mrs J. Coop and family, Mr and Mrs S. C. Harris and family, Mr and Mrs G. March, Mr and Mrs J. F. E. Jamieson, Andrew, Grant, and Hamisli, John, Jeanctte, and Ailsa, Mr and Mrs W. G. Jamieson, Mr and Mrs H. C. Jamieson, Nurse Jamieson, Misses Ireson, the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of Christchurch, Chairman and Members of the Domains Board, President a-nd Council of the Canterbury Society of Arts, Mr and Mrs H-. S. Eobintion, Mr J. IT. Fisher and family. Misses A. and M. Inglis, Mr and Mrs C. Bristow. Dr. and Mrs Chilton, Mr and Mrs F. W. Hickson, staff of Weeks, Ltd. (Auckland), Glenmorc Brick and Tile Company, Directors of the "Sun" newspaper, Directors of the Westport-Stock-ton Coal Company, Staff and Employees of J. and W. Jamieson, Merivale Church Employees (J. and W. Jamieson), Mr James Young and staff (B tanic Gardens), Directors of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, Misses A. and M. Coop, Mrs John Coop and Leonard, Mr and Mrs Soper, Mr William Eccce, Mr E. Lockwood, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Hewlett, T. Moss and Sons, Mr and Mrs T. Harrop, Mr Dougall and family, Mr and Mrs J. S. Hawkcs, Mr and Mrs A. S. Bull, Mr and Mrs D. Anderson, Mrs E. G. Gebbie and family, Mrs T.I. White, Mr and Mrs .T. O. Coop, Mr W. Gray and family, the Misses Wav, Mrs W. Spy and family, Mr and Mrs Roger Jones, Jock and Murrnv, Mrs Robert Erwin and Miss C'ogan," Miss Pcake, Canon and Mrs Galwev, Mr and Mrs F. H. Labatt, Reese Bros., Mr and Mrs T. D. Hnrman, Mrs C. Booth, and Miss March, Mr F. G. Birdling, Edward Eecce, Mr and Mrs Cyril Gray,, tho Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co., Ltd.