SUDDEN DEATH

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 10 December 1912, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH

OF MR RICHMOND BEETHAM

A profound sensation was caused w Masterton last evening when it became known that Mr Richmond Beetham, one of the pioneer settlers ol the province, and for many years a Stipendiary Magistrate, had died suddenly in the garden of his brother, Mr W. H. Beetham, of Mastertoii. Mr Beetliam who was apparently in the best of health, had heeu, fishing all day at the stream at Tupnriipnrii. He ' had some , difficulty in starting big motor car prior to returning' to liis home, and it is- thought that Aiis may have strained hishcart. Afte- dinner he was walking with Mr W FT. Beetham, a;nd liad entered the eni-clen of the latter in Perry street. Without a word of warning, and while conversing freely, he fell back.varcl and expired immediately. The shockto Mr W. H. Beetham was naturally very great. The body was immediately removed to the residence. ' The late ,Mr Beetham was born, at Honicii-stle, County York. England, ™ April 30, IS36\' and. was educated-at the Elyceleeshen ■ Grammar School. He was the eldest' son of the late Mr William Beetham-. He came to Australia in 1853, and spent two years on the Australian goldfields. He readied Wellington on December Ist, 1855, his family "having already taken up their residence at the Hntt. - On October 8, 18 f )2, the late Mr Beetham joined the Public, Service of the Dominion, and was appointed warden of the Otago Goldfields and Resident Magistrate m | April 18G3. He subsequently hekl appointments Resident and ' \Stiplendiarv Magistrate at Napior.. iTimnrii and Chnstcliurch, '«-. 'inn. .senior Magistrate in the lattor city for m **VJ™™: i retired from the bench m 1000, and had since resided in Mnsterton , Dunn" the lons term of his Mnj!*«uItraov. the late Mr Beetham dealt Vi+h many important case*, and Niton several Commissions. He. was nn enthusiast artist, .and was i™.*™*, president of the Canterbury Art Gallery Manv of his paintings now oeIcnnv a prominent place in the art alienee of the Dominion IV i\o : ce'ised «-as twice raaftifd. but leaves no fnmilv. Hi, first wife was a daughter' of the late William Swmnson, If.RS., and his young widow, for whom much sympathy will be felt, is a daughter of the Rev Hampton. T of 'vnsierton His brother? are Messrs 'w. H.. Hugh,, Charles and Norman Beetham. / The funeral of the deceased will leave, the' residence in Cole .street for the Ma=tertou Cemetery at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday.