DEATH OF MR. JAMES WATT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5359, 20 January 1879, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. JAMES WATT.

A telegram from Napier informs us of the death of Mr. James Watt (suddenly). Mr. Watt has been a rather prominent figure in New Zealand for some time, not only as a man whom fortune favoured as a speculator, but in racing circles as a breeder and competitor. Mr. James Watt is an old resident in New Zealand, but was more identified with the province of Hawke's Bay than that of Auckland, although he was the owner of a spleadid property near Kohimarama, on which he first started a racing stud. Mr. Watt was a partner in the firm of Watt Brothers, Napier, as general merchants and stock and station agent*, until recently. He was the owner of a very large landed estate, and accredited to be one of the most wealthy men in New Zealand. For some time past, as a breeder, trainer, and racer, he has devoted his attention to the turf, but in this line of business he has only been fairly successful. The chief ornaments of his stable at the time of his death were Lady Elizabeth, a three-year-old ! filly, wbich ran at the A.J.C. Summer Meeting, and the horse Repudiator. Mr. Watt was also the breeder of the grand horse Longlauds, ■ which was called after his station, outside the town of Napier. Mr. Watt was well advanced in years, of a robust habit, but delicate health. The impression is that the cause of death was apoplexy, but for several years past he has been subject to chronic brouchitis, and it may be that it was an acute attack of this disease which caused his death. This almost necessitated his visits to the warmer climate of Australia for some time past. About five years ago Mr. Watt visited Scotland, and in Dundee he married his present wife, by whom he has two children. Mr. Watt ne\er occupied a position of prominence in the colony beyond that afforded by the accumulated wealth which his successful business career acquired. He never aspired to senatorial honours, nor even to local dignity. His death was sudden, but beyond the facts recorded in the telegram, we cannot assign a cause other than those alluded to above.