OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 302, 17 September 1919, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. JAMES MACINTOSH

After an illness of some weeks Mr. James Macintosh, a of the firm of Messrs. Wrigut, Stepnenson and Co., and one of Wellington's best-Known, business men, passed away, at 4.30 p.m. yes-j terday. As very many, people throughout cue length and breadth of New* Zealand could testily, the late Mr.. Macintosh was not only held in regard as a good business man oi tho strictest probity tue unswerving uprightness, but ho had very special qualities which accounted, for-his being neld-in affectionate esteem by all with whom ho came in contact either in the course, of'business, in the periormance of a wide range of citizen duties, or m private lite. He waß always sympathetic, lorbeariug, and kindly to a uegwe, strong in his convictions on the larger ah'airs of life, and possessed of the deep sense of the obligation ol citizenship. Mo dies regretted by • all, who knew him. '

The late Mr. Macintosh was born in Sutherlandslure (Scotland) in 1855, and cauio out to Queensland with the rest of the famijy at the age of ten years. On the completion of his education he entered tho service of the Bank of. New South Wales,' but only remained in that employ for .two years. He then entered the commercial world as a. member of the staff of Apliu, Brown and Co.; who operated extensively, all over Queensland, and became manager of that company's branch at Towneville. Later,' ho was induced to join the firm of Dalgety and Co., and came to New Zealand in tho year 1902 to take charge of tho Wellington branch. Alter holding that position for some years, he Severed his connection with the firm, aild commenced business in Wellington on his own account as a stock and station agent. Later his business was ■ amalgamated with that of W. and G. Turnbull and Co., and Mr. Macintosh became managing director. Subsequently the business was acquired by Wright, Stephenson and Co., and,he became one of the directors of the latter firm, a position he retained up to the time of his death. Ont-ide of his commercial activities he did good service in many spheres of duty. He was a member of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry (in conjunction with Messrs. W. D. Hunt and P. Barr), which presented a report on the Public Service which was recognised to be one of great value and importance, Mr. Macintosh was also a member of tho Public Trust Board; for two-years ho was president of the Wellington Chamber of Comemrce, and was tho fiist president of the Association of Now.Zealand Chambers of Commerce. Ho also took a very active part in the establishment of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Club,, and was a member of tho Citizens' Committee in that connection. For tho term of the war, too, and beforo it, ho was Consular-Agent for Franco in Wellington. Mr. Macintosh was also u member of (he directorate of the Wellington Publishing Company and for sc-nio years its chairman. Ho was a devout lover of good music, and was one of the keenest supporters of tho Wellington Professional Orchestra, seldom missing a performance given by that organisation.

§omo twelvo years ago Mr. Macintosh suffered a severe illness, which necessitated a very serious operation in Sydney. 1 . For some years afterwards it was thought that tho trouble was definitely overcome, hut a few months ago tho ailment reasserted ntsclf, and ho went onco nioro to Sydney for oxpert treatment. Ho'realised then that it was' doubtful whether ho would return," and" was known to have appended mora than a touch of iinnlity to some of his • farewells prior to leaving Wellington. In, Sydney ho learned the worst, and when he returned ,to Wellington last week by the Manuka it was recognised that he had not long to live. He was accompanied from Sydney by his brothers, Messrs. T. 13. and Hugh Macintosh, of Sydney. Mr. Alexander Macintosh, of Wellington, is another brother. Tl'c deceased was unmarried.