OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4759, 3 October 1924, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. JAMES COUPER. News was received in Paeroa yes* terday morning of the death in the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday evening of Mr Jamies Couper at the age of 49 years. The late Mr Couper, who was born in Ponsonby, Auckland, came to this district some twentythree years ago and resided for some time at Komata. During th|e time that mining was at its height at the Komata Reefs deceased took an active part in the work. It was during that time that he took up a course of mining study at the School of Mines, Thames, and became so keen in his study that for a lengthy period ne rode a bicycle backward and forward between Komata and Thames in order to avail himself of the opportunity of acquiring expert mining knowledge. Some time afterwards he passed the Mining Analysts’ examination with distinction, and later on qualified as a metallurgist and was looked on in the district as an authority on metallurgy. When the Waihi-Paeroa Gold Extraction Co. commenced operations in 1912 on the Ohinemuri River at Paeroa deceased joined the (staff as an assayer, and he remained with the company until it was disbanded. During the last eight years the late Mr Coupler was in business in Paeroa as a land and estate agent, and. latterly held the district agency of the Public Trust Office, N.Z. insurance Co., Ltd., and the Auckland “Star.” Deceatted was always an active worker in the Prsebyterian Church, and held the position of secretary to the Church Committee for many years. He also took a very Iteen interest at all, times in local affairs, and at various times held the secretaryships of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce, Paeroa District High School, and Business Men’s Association. Deceased always held a v|eiy optimistic view as to .the future of Paeroa. He was held in hign esteem by his friends, and had the happy faculty of seeing only the best in people and could always be relfod on for a kindly word or a helping hand in any good cause. The late Mr Couper had been -in illl-health for some time past, but it came as a shock to his friends when his m|edical adviser sent him to Auckland only a fortnight ago for treatment. Deceased leaves a widow, two eons, and a daughter to mourn their loss, and to them is extended sincere sympathy in their bereavement.