DEATH OF HON. J. HOLMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14347, 18 April 1910, Page 6

DEATH OF HON. J. HOLMES.

The death took place yesterday of the Hon. James Holmes, M.L.C., who has been ill for the past few- months at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. Robinson, King Edward Avenue, Epsom. Mr. Holmes was born at Brighton, England, in 1830, and arrived in the Australian colonies in 1850. He worked on the Victorian goldfields for a time, and afterwards settled down to business pursuits in Geelong. He resided there from 1855 to 1860, in Dunedin from 1860 to 1865, in Hokitika from 1865 till a few years ago, when he retired from business. The deceased was a warm personal friend of The late Mr. Seddon and signed his first nomination for political honours. Mr. Holmes was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1902, and was reappointed last year. He declined the honour when it was first offered in 1891. His loss will be keenly felt on the West Coast, where he held a number of public offices. He was a member of the Hokitika Harbour Board, ice-president of the Hokitika Savings Bank, member of the High School Board, chairman of the first Licensing Committee, a P.M. in the Pacific Lodge, 1229, E.C., of the Masonic fraternity, and a P.P.G.M. in the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows. " . Mr. Holmes leaves a widow and family of four sons and six daughters.' The members of . the ■ family" are : Messrs. ■; C. E. Holmes, Wanganui, H. and E. Holmes, Greymouth, E. J. Holmes, Reef ton, Mrs. A. Mahan, Temuka, Mrs. W. Robinson and Mrs. F. Jacomb, Epsom, Mrs. A. Ross, of Hastings, Miss Violet Holmes, Hokitika, and Miss Vonnie Holmes, of Christchurch. The remains will be taken to Hokitika for interment. ',.