DEATH OF MR J.W. PREECE.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2961, 12 August 1878, Page 2

DEATH OF MR J.W. PREECE.

The painful news was received at the Thames on Saturday night that Mr J. W. Preece, Native Lands Purchase Commissioner for thia district, was dead. The deceased gentleman has been in delicate health for a long time, and the wear and tear of the Native Lands Court sitting for the past two months has very greatly undermined a constitution enfeebled by long standing disease. Mr Preece was the son of the Rev. James Preece, one of the early Church of England missionaries, and was born at Puriri, so that he was a native of Hauraki. He has for some time been suffering from liter complaint, and about two years ago he went to Victoria for ctinge of air in hopes that he might receive permanent benefit, and- for some time it was believed that such a desired result had been attained, Mr Preece was, however, in anything but a fit condition to undertake tap arduous work which fell to his lot at the Native Lands Court. The long sittings in a crowded court, with a close, hot atmosphere caused by the numbers in attendance, were most trying to his constitution. Besides this he had long and frequent consultations after Court hours in order to prepare for next day's work. About a fortnight ago Mr Preece went in the Pearl to Mercury Bay to get some natives whose evidence was required in a case before the Court. The trip was made during very rough weather, and the deceased gentleman caught a severe cold during the exposure to which he was subjected. This incapacitated him from attendance at Court for some days, and as he did not get better, he proceeded to Auckland to consult his own medical adviser. The disease, however, seems to have had a firm hold of his enfeebled con* stitution, and although he was hopeful of being able to return to Thames and finish, his work in the Native Lands Court bis hopes were not realised, as he succumbed on Saturday at 4 o'clock to inflammation of the lungs and acute bronchitis. Mr Preece was a gentleman of the highest integrity, and was greatly respected by his acquaintances and beloved by his friend?. From his intimate knowledge of

the Maori language, customs and traditions, he was possessed of great influence in his dealings.with the Natives,^amongst whom lie was esteemed very highly. In fact it is not too much to say that the death of Mr Pi'eeee will be generally and sincerely regretted by all (o whom he was known, and wlio could estimate the courtesy and amiability that characterised his conduct in every relation of life.