RACE WITH DEATH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 5

RACE WITH DEATH

LATE MR. JUSTICE ALPERS LIFE STORY DICTATED. j[ WHILE ON HIS DEATHBED. > (Per Press Association). Auckland, Nov. 22.. Before the business of the Supreme Court began to-day sympathetic reference to tho loss the Bench had sustained by the death of Mr Justice Alpers was made by Mr Justice Reid, and by Mr T. B. Johnston, the Pre sident,,,on behalf of the Auckland Law Society.

After describing Mr Justice Akpcrs’ early struggles and Its triumph, over obstacles until he entered they legal profession and was appointed to the Bench. Mr Justifte w id sard Fate, which had then dealt kindly with him. struck —and struck with relentless force. He received his death sentence —death within six months. The blow was paralysing in its suddenness, but hjs indomitable spirit soon rallied and within n week of his death sentence, while still in bed following upon ah operation, he started with the assistance of his devoted wif e to dictate the story of his life and, in his raco wiith dwitli. he was enabled to complete that story and despatch it to England. This was done solely for the purpose of affording some financial assistance to those he was leaving behind. “Had he lived,” His Honour concluded, “I believo he would have made a great name on the Bench. On th e Bench we shall miss him sorely. It will be long before we shall see his like again. Our sincere sympathy goes out in full measure to his sorrowing widow and young family. A CULTURED GENTLEMAN. Dunedin, Nov. 22. Prior to the commencement of the Supreme Court business reference was made to the death of Mr Justice Alpers by the President of the Law Society, who said the late judge was a cultured gentleman, charming and delightful and highly esteemed. Mr Justice Sim said the Bench had suffered a serious loss. In his brief judicial career Mr Alpers Lad gained the respect and affection of all his colleagues on the Bench. TRIBUTES FROM BENCH AND BAR. New Plymouth, Nov. 22. At the opening of the. Supreme Court sessions this morning Mr. Justice Ostler presiding, feeling reference wa s made by Bench and Bar to the death of Mr. Justice Alpers and also to the loss the local Bar had sustained by the death of Mr. F. E. Wilson, to whom Mr. Justice Ostler paid generous tribute. Christchurch, Nov. 22. Members of the legal profession gathered at the Supreme Court this morning and paid heartfelt tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Justice Alpers. Mr. Justice Adams said: “I was impressed with hij charming person, ality. his great ability, and his wonderful versatility. He was a man of great industry."