OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23334, 19 October 1937, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR J. P. McWILLIAM The death occurred at Winton, on Sunday of Mr James Peter McWilliam. Born in Winton in 1865, Mr McWilliam was the second son of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas McWilliam and had the distinction of being the first child born in the settlement, the son of the first Mayor of Winton, and the oldest resident native of the town. Excepting for two years sojourn in Wanganui when he was a young man, he spent all his life in Winton and his entire interest has been centred in the progress and welfare of his native town. s The merchandise business founded by his father was successfully carried on for many years by him and his brother under the well-known name of McWilliam Bros., until 1924, when they retired from active business.

Mr McWilliam’s life history is the history of Winton. He has grown up with the town and played a foremost part in its progress. He was an active member of many organizations of the town, having served as Mayor from 1911 to 1913 and was also a councillor for a lengthy period. He was a staunch member of the Winton Presbyterian Church, and one of the original members of the choir. He also served as a deacon. He was always interested in the musical life of the community, and in former years took a prominent part in the activities of the Winton Choral Society. Mr McWilliam was also a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Masonic Lodge and acted as secretary for various bodies including the Winton Racecourse Trustees, for which he gave yeoman service for over a period of 30 years. His published history of the town, “Winton in the Making,” constitutes an invaluable record. The funeral takes place to the Winton cemetery tomorrow afternoon. THE REV. L. B. BUSFIELD ' (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, October 18. The death occurred on Saturday of the Rev. Leonard Bailey Busfield, of Auckland, who was visiting Christchurch for the annual assembly of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. Mr Busfield attended the morning session of the assembly but died during the luncheon adjournment. He was born in Yorkshire, of parents whose association with the Baptist denomination could, on his mother’s side, be traced back upwards of 250 years. After a short business career he entered the famous Baptist College at Rawdon. He later came to New Zealand and after a very successful pastorate in Christchurch moved to Auckland where for five and a-half years he was pastor of the Ponsonby Church. Eighteen years ago he became general secretary of the Auckland Sunday School Union but was able to supply the newly-formed church at Avondale for three years and afterwards the North Memorial Church during its early years.

MR H. H. JACKSON (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 18. The death has occurred of Mr Harry Hughlings Jackson, formerly chief mechanical engineer of the New Zealand Railways, aged 75 years. MR W. S. WHARTON (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, October 18. The death has occurred of Mr W. S. Wharton, secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, who had announced his retirement on December 31.