OBITUARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3931, 6 October 1891, Page 2

OBITUARY.

Death of "The Whiffler.

Mr J. S. Harris, familiarly known ns "the Whiffler," died at theT e Aro Hotel, Wellington, yesterdt!y*Sfternoon. Mr Harris was perhaps one of the hest known men about town, and his career in JSew Zealand has been a most extraordinary one. He airived here about ten years ago, when he occupied a good and responsible position, having a power of attorney, reptesenting the well-known firm of Messrs Greatrex & Co. In those day* he was what might have beem termed ''a hail fellow well mat." He had plenty of money, which he spent freely, and was considered capital

company by the ordinary men about town. His connection with Messrs Greatrex A Co. did not last long, and at its termination he brought an against the firm for > missal, and claiming damages. It waQsJPt during the procedure of this case that Mr Harris was nick-named the " Whiffler," and it originated daring the time he was under crods-examin* ation. He had been at Blenheim takibg part in a pigeon match, and in Court be said many of the birds were " whifflers," and being pressed as te what" a whiffler " meant, Mr Harris said it was a term given to ' squeakers' or yonng birds not fully fledged. After this he opened a commission agency business in Willis Street in premises opposite the Commercial Hotel. The venture did not prove remunerative, and the sure and peculiar downfall of Mr Harris commenced. Ha was most eccentric in his habits, and many people were of opinion that he was queer in the head. Some* times he was seen about the street in the garb of a negro minstrel, and at others decked in the most absurd garments. Many and many a time he was arrested by the police, and appeared before the Court charged with various trivial offences, but he generally managed to baffle the police. Amongst his accomplishments (for he had maay) was his knowledge of music, and though it could not be said he was a real artist he could play a numberof instruments sufficiently well to be entertaining. He was always ready with repartee, and anybody who tried to chaff him generally came off second best. He was a very fair shot with a fowling piece, and was at all . times willing to back bis shot. He was a first rate accountant, and has supported himself latterly by posting up trademen's books. For tbff4ast 18 months he was Miss Crawford's bookkeeper, having kept the books for the Albert and Te Aro Hotels. Mr Harris has been ailing for about two years, but it was only within the last three weeks that anything immedi* ately serious was anticipated, when medical aid was obtained on Sunday, Drs Fell, Gillon and Martin being called in, and aftor these gentlemen had left, the deceased with his accua* tomed hilarity remarked, "I shall be up with the lark in the morning." At half past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, however, he bteathed his last, having succumbed to consumption •{ long standing. The deceased was a married man, with two cbil* dren, his wife being housekeeper to Mr Chatfield at Island Bay. His life was insured in a Home office for £SOO, the policy for which had been regularly attended tc by his friends in England. He made a will a few days ago, bequeathing £IOO to bis wife. He belonged to the Society of friends, better known as the Quakers, and-Tit is stated that he expected to come into a fortune of £BO,OOO through the death of one of his relatives in England, —Times. A