DEATH OF MR. JAMES MORTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5176, 19 June 1878, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. JAMES MORTON.

We regret to announce the death of a wellknown citizen, Mr. James Morton, of the firm of Grant and Morton, merchants and auctioneers, of thia city, and one of the councillors of the borough. Mr. Morton, who died last night at the early age of 37, arrived in Auckland about 1863, and joined the Commissariat Force during the native war. He afterwards was owner of the paddle-steamer Enterprise No. 2, and ran that vessel in the Thames trade. Subsequently he entered into business as the financial partner with Mr. A. G. Grant, and was last year appointed an accountant in bankruptcy. Mr. Morton enjoyed the reputation of being an energetic man of business, and one who took an active interest in public affairs, both in the city and in the suburb of Ponsonby, where he resided, striving to further the improvement of both. He was the champion chess-player in Auckland, and was otherwise a man of shrewd, observant mind. Mr. Morton caught cold on Sunday se'ennight, having been out during a severe storm of rain. This produced serious internal derangement, from which, some davs ago, there seemed satisfactory promise of recovery ; but he suffered a relapse yesterday, and gradually grew worse until shortly after 7 o'clock, when he expired. Mr. Morton has left a widow and five children, and his early death will be regretted by a large circle of friends, both in the city and in Ponsonby district. The funeral takes place at 3 o'clock this afternoon.