OBITUARY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 21 November 1927, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR. JUSTICE ALPERS

(Per Press Association). Wellington, Nov. 21. The death is reported of Mr Justice Alpers,

Oscar Thorwald Johan . Alpers was a picturesque personality with a rare gift of eloquent speech, a master of incisive and striking phrases, a man of a scholarly and well-stored mind, and a man of affairs. The appointment of Mr. Justice Alpers to the Supreme Court Bench probably created a precedent within the Empire (except in South Africa) as being the first Judge who was not Ixirn a British subject.

Mr, Justice Alpers was born in Copenhagen, m 1857, of Danish parents, and at the age of ten lie came with them to New Zealand. He did not speak English then. It ’S eloquent of his brilliant capacity that before the actually reached the age nt 13 he not only had mastered the language but had qualified as a pupil teacher at a Napier school. He con tinned his studies, and in 1884 he came to Christchurch and entered Canterbury College on a scholarship In 1887 he graduated as a Master of Arts, taking first-class honours in Latin and English literature. He

then became an assistant to Professor J. MacMillan Brown, and on the visit of the last-named to Europe in 1899 Mr. Alpers held the chair as his locum tenens On the return of Professor Macmillan Brown Mr Justice Alpers entered upon the position of assistant, master at Christchurch Boys’ High School and he remained at the school until 1904. hi the meantime he engaged in journalism, and was a leader writer for the Christchurch “Press” for more than ten years. He also contributed articles to a number of New Zealand papers, and also Io such publications as the “Nineteenth Ce»» turv.” the “Finnire Review,’’ and other London magazines. In 1.900 Mr. Justice Alpers wrote the Jubilee Ode. which, set to music by Mr. M. Barnett, of Auckland, was sun<r at the opening of the Industrial Exhibition on November 1 of that vear. Subsequently it was sung at the Ofiera House Wellington, nwder the baton of Mr Harnett Mr Justice Alpers’ literary attainments are very high, and ho woresponsible for the “Jnh ,,A e Book of Canterbury Rhymes '’ He was the author in collaboration with Mr H H Irvine now Professor of Economics at Sydney University oT “New Zealand in the Nineteenth Century " A hook of reminiscences is also in course of publication. He began to nraetic" law :.t Timaru. in partnership wRh the late Mr J. W White Crown Prosecutor,

in 1907. He removed io Christchurch, practising there on his own account. On January 1, 1910, he joined the firm of Garrick, Cowlishaw and Fisher, taking the place of the late Mr. J. B. Fisher, who then retired. In February, 1925, he was appointed to th© Judgeship, which he held at tile time of his death. MR JAMES T. WELLWOOD. The news of the death of Mr James T. Wellwood came as a shock to the community on Saturday night, as comparatively few people knew of his illness. He went into Royston Hospital some days ago to be operated on for appendicitis, and though the operations was performed successfully, he subsequently sank, and died on Saturday evening. A farmer by tradition and a sportsman bv nature. Mr AVellwood was also a capable accountant and a common-sense man of business. Kindly of disposition, both socially and commercially, and rigidly upright in his dealings, he was esteemed and deeply respected bv all who came in contact with him. and in his intimate circle of friends he was held in genuine affection, whilst the public cenerally will extend their sympathy to his widow adn young family, as well as to his mother and the family generally in the affliction that has come upon them. Mr Wellwood, who was horn at Kilmanagh, County Kilkenny, Ireland 53 years ago. came out to New Zealand with his parents—Mr Arthur Wellwood (who died some years ago) and Mrs Mary Well wood— at the age of nine years. He was educated at the Hastings District School, then under the headmastership of the late Mr J A. Smith, and after leaving school he went as a cadet on the estate of Mr Alexander McHardy at Longlands. after which we returned to his father’s property at Raureka, where he assisted in the farming. The condition of his health caused him to forsake farming for a time, and he took up accountancy for some five years, during which he acted as secretary to Messrs A. Jones and Co.’s implement works in Hastings. He severed his connection with Messrs A. Jones and Co. to join Mi W. J. Stratton, who was then agent for the Hawke’s Bay “Herald” n Hastings, and in his capacity as a journalist he showed himself a capable reporter, with a special reputation as a sporting writer. On recovering his health, about 25 years ago Mr Wellwood turned to farming pursuits, buying a farm at Twyford. which he subsequently sold and acquired part of the Longlands Estate, which he styled “I.onignopr.” and which property he had farmed ever since.

The deceased gentleman wa s one of the most active and staunch supporters of the Hastings Manchestei Unity of Oddfellows, of which body he for some time discharged the duties of secretary and though of recent years he had not been able to keep in active membership with Hie lodge, his devoted service is still "e--memhered with gratitude. He was an old and enthusiastic member ol the old Hawke’s Bay Volunteer Mounted Rifles, holding the rank of sergeant-major during the command of Captain A. H. Russell (now Sir Andrew lUi' sell) and was a good shot besides being the first mounted volunteer in New Zealand to pass the full signalling test. In the LlovdLindsav military event, which used to be one of the special jumping fea tures of the Hawke’s Bay A and P. Society's Show in Hastings he fas leader) and his three brothers earned distinction through the district <>» having never been beaten in that thrillin'? competition. In addition he was a keen golfer, an ardent tennis player, and a fine all-round sportsman of the best kind. He leaves a widow and three young daughters, and with these and with his widowed mother, his sisters and his brothers, the profoundcst svmpathy is expressed.