OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 16

OBITUARY.

MR, JAMES M, ; DACRE,*

LINK WITH EARLY AUCKLAND.

LONG AND ACTIVE CAREER.

An old identity whose public activities were closely associated with Auckland's early days has been removed by the death on Wednesday of Mr. James M. Dacre, aged 84. Born in Sydney in 1846, Mr. Dacre arrived in Auckland at the age of 12, in the barque City of Melbourne, which took 33 days to make a passage which modern steamers now occupy barely three days in doing. Receiving his education at Horniinan's College, Sydney, and at Lysnar's Lyceum, Auckland, Mr. Dacre, at the ago of 14, began work in his father's wholesale store in Queen Street. A short experience of farming followed. Then Mr. Dacre joined the Bank of New South Wales at Auckland. Ho was later sent to Hokitika, and served as a special constablo there during the Fenian riots. "Hokitika was a hot place in those days," Mr. Dacro used to say, in recalling his experienbes on the West Coast, "I was thero when the Sullivan-Burgess murders took place, and saw all the murderers." With the iritention of visiting South America, Mr. Dacre left the service of the bank, but he altered his plans and decided to go to sea. Returning to Auckland, he became manager in the Kaipara for Must and Company. Later he joined the firm of Samuel Cochrane and Son in Fort Street, and was auctioneer there for 37 years. In 1910 he retired from business.

Apart from his business activities Mr. Dacre took a prominent part in public life. He was secretary and treasurer of the Ponsonby Highway Board in the days when annual meetings were apt to extend from 7 p.m. until six o'clock next morning, with a likelihood of the meeting standing adjourned to be continued on the following evening. Mr. Dacre also aclod as secretary and treasurer of the Auckland Rowing Club, he was treasurer of the Auckland Regatta Club, and captain of the first Ponsonby Rugby team. In association with Mr. A. Boardman, an ex-Mayor of the city, Mr. Dacre was prominently identified with most of the social activities of Ponsonby, and played a leading part in the movement which ended with that district deciding to join the city. Mr. Dacre was a member of the Auckland City Council from 1882 to 1884, representing the Ponsonby ward. He was also a member of the Auckland Harbour Board. For his services in tho Maori War, Mr. Dacre was awarded the New Zealand medal, being only 15 years of age at the time. During the war he was twice wounded.

The Dacre family was well known in Auckland. Mr. James Dacre was the last representative of a family of seven sons, six of whom had played a prominent part i n tbe early affairs of the city. His wifo died about 20 years ago. The surviving family of Mr. Dacro comprises Mr. R. G. Dacre, of Auckland, Mr. W. Dacre, of .Sydney, Mrs. S. Orbell, of Balmoral Road, Mount Eden, and Mrs. R. D. Rogers, of St. George's Bay Road, Parnell. Tlio funeral will take place at O'Neill's Point Cemetery this morning. MR. J. K. ALEXANDER. The death has occurred at his residence, Mount Pleasant, Henderson Valley, of Mr. James Kincaid Alexander. He was the eldest son of the late Mr. J. S. K. Alexander, of Dunedin. Born at Roslyn, Dunedin, 59 years ago, ho was educated at the Kaikorai Normal Schools and conducted ono of the leading signwriting businesses in Auckland for the past 30 years. About three months ago, through failing health, he retired from business. He was interested in farming in tho Waikato and at Waimauku, ana about eleven years ago went to live at Mount Pleasant, whero ho resided until his death.

Mr. Alexander is survived by Mrs. Alexander and two sons, Mr. J. S. Alexander, of Mount Albert; and Mr. F. 0. Kincaid Alexander, of Henderson.