LATE MR W. P. JAMES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9542, 14 July 1909, Page 5

LATE MR W. P. JAMES.

FUNERAL CEREMONIAL. The early train from Masterton to Wellington yesterday morning conveyed the remains of the late Mr W. P. James,S.M., to Wellington, where the interment took place. There was a long cortege of local mourners following behind the body, on its way from the deceased's Jate residence to the railway station, jtfesides legal and mercantile representatives there was a numerous attendance of members of athletic and sporting bodies. At the station there was also gathered a large number of sympathising friends of the family. Messrs J. B. Henry, S. Inder, H. C. Robinson, D. K. Logan, A. Holmes and Sergeant Milter, acted as pallbearers, the coffin being covered with beautiful wreaths. Many friends and relatives of the deceased, including representatives of all sections of the community, assembled at the platform of the Lambton Station, Wellington, to meet,' the train, which brought the body from the Wairarapa. A number of Masterton residents went down tc» pay their last respects. Thirteen carriages followed the hears*. The chief mourners included Messrs George AUport (Marine Department), W. W. Rhodes (Tax Department), A. H. Holmes (Clerk of the Magistrate's Court), W. R. Holmes (Auckland), P. P. Webb (Audit Department), Norman James (son), and Hon. C. H. Mills (uncle of the deceased).

The Minister for Justice (Hon. Dr Findlay) and the Under-Secretary, Mr F. Waldegrave, attended. There were also Dr M'Arthur and Mr W. G. Riddell, Stipendiary Magistrates, Inspector Ellison, and Mr M. Foley, clerk of the court, Maeterton. The legal profession was represented by Messrs C. P. Skerrett, .K.C., £. D. Bell, A. Gray, A. de B. Brandon, Andrew Wylie, W. Dean, V; Meredith, J. L. Stout, A. C. Herdman, M.P., T. Young, and others. Mr D. G. A. Cooper, Registrar of. the Supreme. Court, was also present. Among the numerous mourners were Messrs F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., A. T. Bate, H., Lyon, F. De Castro, H. J. H.'Biow, A. W. Newton, G. Goldie, and others. St. Mark's Church, to which Mr James for many years belonged, was also represented.

, Among the many beautiful wreaths were those given by the Mayor, council, and burgesses of Masteiton, the Masterton Football Club, the S.M. Court staff, the Police Force, the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association, Mr Rawson, SM, (Westport), and Mr D. Logan (Hawke'e Bay).

The last rites , were conducted by the Rev. A. M. Johnson, Vicar of St. Mark's, assisted by the Rev. Mr Raine, of Masterton.

REFERENCES IN THE WELLINGTON MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Reference to the late Mr W. P. James, S.M., was made by Bench, Bar, and police, in the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Dr M' Arthur and Mr W. G. Riddel], S.M., occupied the Bench. Dr M'Arthur said they were gathered together to do honour to the memory of a good man who had just passed away. Although there were many of those present who had known the late Mr James longer than he had, no one held a higher opinion of the deceased gentleman than he did. He had been acquainted with him for eight or nine years, and-could 3ay that in all matters—whether in connection with his family life, socia obligations, or his duties as a magistrate, one could find no truer man. Mr A. L. Herdman, M.P., said that, as president of the Law Society, he wished to express deep sympathy with Mrs James and family. Everyone who had come in contact with Mr James had held the highest opinion of his character. He had discharged his duties fearlessly, and with justice. He had a great faculty for making friends, and carried about with him an atmosphere of sunshine. Mr Wilford stated that Mr James had furnished the forcible argument that it was quite possible for a man to be an excellent magistrate although he had not received what was called the legal training. Mr James had been mixed with members of the profession in their outside life, but when he took: his seat on the bench he acted with the strictest impartiality. He was one of the fairest and straightest men the speaker had ever known.

Inspector Ellison said he had known the late Mr James for the past 32 or 33 years, and could only say that what had been said by previous speakers was perfectly correct. Deceased's life had been a good one; one for younger men to imitate.