OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 11

OBITUARY

SIR J. C. MAXWELL RHODESIAN GOVERNOR (Received November 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 17 Sir James Crawford Maxwell, Governor of Northern Rhodesia, died at sea on the liner Oronsay. He had embarkod on the vessel for a health tour last Saturday. The late Sir James Crawford Maxwell was born at Dundee in 1869 and was educated at Edinburgh University, where he took his medical degree. Later he was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn. His first appointment, which he held from 1897 to 1900, was that of district medical officer in Sierra Leone. He received the West Africa medal and clasp for his services and in 1900 was promoted to he a District Commissioner. His excellent work was rewarded in 1911 with tlie C.M.G. Three years later he was transferred to Nigeria as a First-Class Resident.

In 1920 iSir (then Dr.) Maxwell returnee] to the scene of his early labours as Colonial Secretary for Sierra Leone. After holding the appointment for two years he was colled to fill the more responsible post of Colonial Secretary to the Gold Coast. There he increased his experience, for he was responsible for the administration of the colony for several periods as acting-Governor —an office which he carried out with marked success. His services were recognised by the conferment of n knighthood (K.15.E.) in 1925. In May, 1927, while he was again acting as ' Governor, pending the arrival of Sir Ilansford Slater from Sierra Leone, lie was appointed Governor and Comman-der-in-Chief of Northern Rhodesia in succession to Sir Herbert James Stanley, who had been transferred to the Governorship of Ceylon. In 1909 Sir James married Muriel, daughter of the late T. J. Davies, of Gloucester.