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

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 10, 12 July 1909, Page 7

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

Mr. W. P. James, S.M., at Masterton, passed away yesterday morning, aged fifty-six years. About a year ago Mr. James developed an attack of heart trouble, and during the summer went on a two-months' heiJth trip to Austra- i lia. He did not, however, gain much ! benefit from the trip, and two or three I weeks ago lie became seriously ill. He has since shown signs of improvement, and his death, which occurred somewhat suddenly, was unexpected. The late Mr. James was well known in Wellington, where he passed many years in the office of the Magistrate's Court, and was exceedingly popular with all who came in contact with him. He was born in London, and was educated in Auckland. In 1867 he entered the Civil Service, being appointed to the Stamp Office at Wellington, and two years later was transferred to the Magistrate's Court at Wellington as a clerk. He remained in this position until 1877, when he was transferred to the Magistrate's Court at Dunedin. In 1879 he was appointed to the position of Clerk of the Magistrate's Court at Wellington. He held that responsible office until 1900, when he was promoted to the still more responsible position of a Stipendiary Magistrate, and located at -ilasterton, where he has carried out his duties ever since. For several years Air. James was returning officer for the city of Wellington, and attended to that branch of his duties in a manner which reflected the highest credit on his ability. Painstaking, courteous and obliging, besides being a good disciplinarian, Mr. James was . held in the greatest esteem by those who worked with him in his various capacities, and his death will be widely regretted. In 1878 Mr. James married Miss Lillias Millieent Holmes, daughter of the late Mr. W. H. HpJines, headmaster of Te Aro School. His widow and two sons survive hini. Mr. Norman James, accountant, of Masterton, and Mr. L. H. James, of the Union Steamship Company's staff, Strachan, Tasmania. Mrs. George Allport and Mrs. John Stevenson and Mrs. Arthur Holmes, of Wellington, are his sisters, and his brother, Mr. Herbert James, resides at Whangarei. The funeral will leave the Lambton railway station for Karori Cemetery on arrival of the mail train from Masterton to-morrow morning. For many years the late Mr. James held the position of churchwarden and vestryman at St. Mark's, and at the service last night the organist, Mr. L. F. Watkins, played the "Dead March" in "Saal" as a mark of respect to his memory. FEELING IN WAIRARAPA. Our Masterton correspondent telegraphed to-day: — Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. W. J. James had been somewhat seriously ill for some days past the community was greatly shocked when the fact became known that he had expired suddenly at midnight on Saturday. Enquiries made on Saturday afternoon went to show that Mr. James was considered practically out of danger, and during the day he had expressed the opinion to his wife that he was feeling quite well enough to get up. At midnight, however, there was a lecurrence of the heart trouble from which he suffered, and death followed almost immediately. Throughout the whole of the districts over which deceased had jurisdiction as Stipendiary Magistrate, he was universally respected, and his death will be greatly regretted. He took a keen interest in church matters, .being parishioners' churchwarden of St. Matthew's, and was also an enthusiastic member of the Bowling and Golf Clubs. The funeral will leave Masterton tomorrow by the morning train. The 'legal profession of Masterton will accompany the remains to the Masterton railway station. VOTE OF SYMPATHY. [BY TELEGRAPU — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MASTERTON, This, Day. Aif a meeting of justices and solicitors practising at Ma&terton, held to-day, a vote of appreciation of the lute Mr. W. P. Jame» & integrity a» a magistrate and uprightness .'b a private citizen, and expressing deep sympathy v.ith hifc widow and family, «■&- pissed unanimously. Solicitors' will act as pall-bearers from deceased's hou<>e to the railway station to-morrow morniim.