The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1901. DEATH OF MR. JAMES BELLRINGER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 121, 18 June 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1901. DEATH OF MR. JAMES BELLRINGER.

Quite a gloom was cast over New Plymouth yesterday whm it became known that Mr. James Ballringer had passed away at his home at Fitzroy. A'thougb it was known that he had been verj unwell for tome days no one thought that his condii ion was so serious and the news of his death came as a great shock to the community. New Plymouth it poorer to day for his less and his death leaves a blank in the ranks of our publ'c man that it will be almost impossible to fill. The whole district in fact has suffered an irreparable loss by his death. For many years Mr. Bei!l----ringer has taken not only an active but a leading position in public matters. As one of the oldest members of the Borough Council, and four years in succession mayor of the (own, he was in all municipal matters a tower of strength. Perfectly honest, bold and unselfish in his public life he enjoyed the thorough confidence of the whole of the ratepayers of the Vorough. As chairman, for many years, of tbe Hospital and Charitable Aid Board be worked in a much wider sphere ai d his work was known and its value recognised throughout the provincial district. During his recent visit to Great Britain, in v'ew of tbe la- ge loan of expenditure impending, he made a careful study of municipal institutions and he was taking a keen interest in the matter up to the last. Only last wtek as chairman of the Works Committee he had a long interview with Mr. Me-tayer on the subject. His unselfish devotion to public duty, his rectitude, his ungrudging services to the ratepayers and his marked ability compelled the admiration and respect even of those who did not always see eye to eye wi-h him on public matters.