DEATH OP MR. W. P. JAMES, S.M.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 557, 12 July 1909, Page 4

DEATH OP MR. W. P. JAMES, S.M.

■". j (By Correspondent.),'.. ■ ■v-.v ■■;''" ! ; - ( Masterton, July 11.. ;' Mr. W. P. James,'' Stipendiary, Magistrate at Masterton,' died'early this raorning-'at.his residence, Lapsdowne, from /heart, attack. About' a fortnight' ago, while ori thb'Masterton golf links, he was: suddenly seized! with illncssj and .had'to be carried'inside.' Since then he lias'been confined f to;his bed.' Last week: he ■appeared; to be slightly tatter, .but this. morning: the' case took a rapid turn for theiworsc) and'the end' came suddenly. . The late Mr. James, ,w'ho : was 66 years of age,, has: occupied: the; magisterial -bench in Masterton for about nine years, and. during that time his judgments nave- given great' satisfaction'.' He was at one' time'clerk of the .Court' at. Wellington,, and from: that 'position was < He was a member of. the Masterton Golf Club, ;being captain last year,:and' was. also an active member of tho>Masterton' Tennis Club. ' He was also associated' with various Jocal, institutions, and was a-ohurchwarden 'of' St/ ,Matthew's Church. '.Socially, Jlr; James was; .jesoeed,; irigly popular, his kindly' disposition- being an outstanding trait.j'BeMdos.Mrs. James,'there are left two. sons, on<5 v in Tasmania, the other, Mr, 1 Norman James, residing in Mastertop.'.:

> ' [Mr; William Pattisou' James was born in London in 1853, He was the son of the late Mr. ! Lewis James, of the Customs Depart, ment, :and'was educated in the' High School and Collegiate School, Auckland, In 1867 ho joined the Civil Service: in'the printing department, and was .appointed clerk: to; the resident'magistrate 'in Wellington two J years later. Mr. James was transferred to 'Dun,edin, and' came back to Wellington in.' 1875. Promotion:followed. 'in' 1887,: when he was appointed clerk'of the' Police .Court in Duncdin. After two: years in .the south he came to Wellington as clerk of tho'Magistrate's Court and between the ytoß'lß79-1891 hoaoted as marshal to the Admiralty Court; In 1900 he received the appointment of Stipendiary Maci.vtrate for the Masterton'.distriot.. ■■■'. Li\his younger days Mr. James was *V a prominent athlete, and was well known as a representative Rushy ■- football player, having 'represented Wellington on many occasions. 'Mr James married in 1878, his wife being Miss Lilias Millioont Holmes, daughter of Mr! WH.' Holmes,'"of> Wellington. Mr.' C. C. Graham, S.M., of Dunodin,. passed through Wellington last on his' way to Mas: terton to relieve 1 Mr. James ,of ' magisterial duty,].;..'.;-:".: "•:;_. :■■,:-. -. •;..■.■ ■;■.;, ....