THE LATE MR. W. P. JAMES. FUNERAL TO-DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1909, Page 8

THE LATE MR. W. P. JAMES. FUNERAL TO-DAY.

The funeral of the late Mr. W. P. James, S.M., of Masterton, took place to-day, in the Karori Cemetery. Many friends and relatives of the deceased, including representatives of all sections of the community, assembled on the platform of the Lambtou station to meet the train, which brought the body from the Wairarapa. A number of Masterton residents came down to pay theiir last respects. Thirteen ' carriages followed the hearse. The chief mourners included Messrs. George Allport (Marine Department), W. B. Rhodes (Tax Depaitment), A. H. Holmes (Clerk of the Magistrate's Court), W. R. f Holmes (Auckland), P. P. Webb (Audit Department), Norman James (son), and Hon. C. H. Mills (uncle of the deceased). The Minister for Justice (Hon. Dr. Findlay) and the Under-Secretary, Mr. F. Waldegrave, attended. There were also Dr. M'Arthtir and Mr. W. G. Riddell, Stipendiary Magistrates, Inspector Ellison, and M. Foley. clerk of the court, Masterton. The legal profession was represented by Messrs. (_'. P. Skerrett, K.C., E. D. "Bell, A. Gray, A. de B. Brandon, Andrew Wylie, AY. Dean, V. Meredith, J. L. Stout, -A. C. Herdman, M.P., T. Young, and others. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, Registrar of the Supreme Court, was also present. Among the numerous mourners were Messrs. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., A. T. Bate, H. Lyon, F. De Castro, H. J. H. Blow, A W. Newton, G. Goldie, and others. St. Mark's Church, to which Mr. James for many years belonged, was also represented. i Among the many beautiful wreaths ! were those given by the Mayor, council, and burgesses of Masterton, the Master- [ ton Football Club, the S.M. Court staff, i the Police Force, the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Rawson, S.M. (Westport), and Mr. D. Logan (Hawkes Bay). The last rites were conducted by the Rev. A. M. Johnson, Vicar of St. Mark's, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Raine, of Masterton. REFERENCES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURT. Reference to the late Mr. W. P. James',- S.M. , was made by Bench, Bar, and police, in the Magistrate's Court thr-. morning. Dr. M'Arthur and Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., occupied the Bench. Dr. M'Arthur said they were gathered together to do honour to the memory of a good man who had just passed away. Although there were many of those present who had known the late Mr. James longer thaoi he had, no' one held a higher opinion of the deceased j gentleman than lie_ did. He had been acquainted with him tor eight or nine years, and could say that in all matters — whether in connection with bis family life, social obligations, or his duties as a magistrate, one could find no truer man. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., said that, as president of the Law Society, he wished to express deep sympathy with Mrs. James and family.. Every one who had come in contact with Mr. James had held the highest opinion of his character. He had discharged his duties fearlessly, and with justice. Ho had a great faculty for making friends, and carried about with him an atmosphere of sun&liine. Mr. Wilford stated that Mr. James I had furnished the forcible argument that it was quite pobsiblo for a man to be an excellent magistrate although he had not received what was called the legal training. Mr. James had been mixed with members of the profession in their outside life, but when he took his seat on the bench, he acted with the strictest impartiality. He was one of. the fairest and straightest men the speaker had ever known. Inspector Ellison said he had known ■the Into iVfr. James for the past 32 or 33 years, and could only say that what ihad been said by previous speakers ivas ■perfectly correct. Deceased's life had ■been a good one ; one for younger men <to imitate. In Pahiatua, news of the death of Mr. James was received with sincere a-egret. Flags were flown at half-mast. The Carterton Court adjourned until tho fiOth inst.