DEATH OF MR. JAS. BOOTH, S.M.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11373, 16 May 1900, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. JAS. BOOTH, S.M.

[fir TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] .. GisnoßNE, Tuesday. Ma. James Booth, Stipendiary Magistrate Of this district, died at his residence, Roseland, last evening, after a brief illness. Deceased came to the colony in 1852, in conation with the Church Missionary Society, and an 1856 settled down at Pipiriki, on the "Mganui River, and engaged in teaching ana pastoral pursuits. At the time of the j™ outbreak in 1864, he and his family were made prisoners, and for three days and nights were kept in constant fear Of being murdered, but their lives were spared, and they escaped, losing everything % possessed. Mr. Booth subsequently to ? an active part in warfare against the rebeli, being given a military charge at u Pper Wanganui. When friendly natives Kere assailed at Jerusalem, and ran short of ammunition, Mr. Booth, with a Maori "w> paddled to Wanganui for fresh supplies, and thus saved the allies, services for *bich he was thanked by the Native Minis- « In 1865 he was appointed Magistrate M Wanganui, and two years later lie was actively engaged in the suppression of the native rebellion in Patea district, living in instant danger of being murdered. In 1883 he was transferred to Poverty Bay, *nere he gained the respect and esteem of 'he whole community. •■•'Mr. Eyre Kenny,"the Wanganui Magistrate, arrives to-morrow to take up the, Mies of Magistrate temporarily.