OBITUARY

Putaruru Press, Volume XX, Issue 1193, 1 August 1946, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR. RICHARD S- JAMES Another of the original pioneers of Matamata has passed away in the person of Mr. Richard S. James, who established the first bakery business in this town in the year 1904. Mr. James had been living in retirement at King’s Parade, Devonport, for the past 12 years, and passed away on Sunday at the age of 76. Mr. James opened the first bakery business in Matamata and ran this successfully until about 1915, when he sold the business to Mrs. Gray and later to Mr. Casley. In March, 1917, Mr. A. Stewart, who still resides in Matamata, bought the bakery business.

Mr. James was compelled to give j up baking owing to chest trouble and I when he sold he bought the farm at ! Te Poi now occupied by Mr. Howard | Dalton. After about three years lie j sold this property and bought another | at Following this he engaged I in land agency business in Auckland, and for a number of years be travelled for the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited. Finally, as stated, he retired to Devonport. Mr. James, who was very well known and highly respected in the early days in Matamata, was born at Ballarat, Victoria, and came to New Zealand with his parents, his father being the first mine manager of the old Caledonian Mine at Thames. Deceased was prominent in Masonic circles and was a life member of the Masonic Club in Auckland.

He is survived by his widow, two sons, Mr. Eric James (Auckland) and Mr. T. W- James (Auckland), and two daughters, Mrs. W. S. McEwen (Pukerora, Cambridge) and Mrs. J. C. Andrews (Auckland).