LADY COOPER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 10

LADY COOPER'S DEATH

Wl DOW OF FORMER JUDGE! LONG LIFE IN DOMINION The death occurred at her residence in Martin Avenue, liemuera. yesterday, of Lady Cooper, widow of Sir Theophilus Cooper, who was for 20 years a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Lady Cooper was born at Kingsclere, England, in 1853. and was brought to Xew Zealand by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, when she was eight years of age. She knew Auckland when there were only two or three houses at Devonport, and when the regular means of communication with the North Shore was a rowing boat. Auckland was her home for practically all her long life, except for the period when her husband was for some years engaged on judicial duties in Wellington. Lady Cooper was married -to Mr. Justice Cooper in Auckland about 61 years ago. He was elevated to the Bench in 1901. and became first Judge of the Arbitration Court. He wa<= later engaged in Supreme Court work in Wellington, and then until his retirement in 1921 presided over the Supreme Court in Auckland. It was upon his retirement that he received the honour of knighthood. His death occurred in 1925. Lady Cooper took no part in public affairs. She suffered an illness last year which affected her health. She is survived by three daughters and two sons. Mrs. T. Gilray. of Napier, Mrs. M. E Johnson, of Nelson. Mrs. J. S. Emerson, of liemuera. Mr. Arthur Cooper, of Waitetuna. and Dr. H. A. Cooper, of Remuera. Another son. the late Captain H. A. Cooper, was the first New Zealander to obtain the international flying certificate, and lost his life flying in France in 1918. The funeral of Lady Cooper will take place privately at Hamilton to-morrow.