Thanks to New Zealand's wonderful 'Papers Past' site, I have learned a large amount about a closely related ancestor, James Alexander Murdoch, born 1867, died 29 May 1945 at Hokitika. One revealing entry contains information to effect that he was a Barrister and Solicitor, of Seddon Street, Kumara; that he was formerly a member of the legal firm Park & Murdoch of Hokitika and Kumara but that changed with him later practicing on his own account in Kumara. It seems he trained with Mr Park in Hokitika, passed his exams as a solicitor in 1893 and was admitted in 1898 as a barrister. Tellingly, the same article notes that Mr Murdoch is referred to as 'Mayor of Kumara'. Subsequent checks revealed he served a number of successive terms as Mayor in the early 1900s (around 1907). Due to the nature of his business, there are countless entries in 'Papers Past' of him representing clients in court and beyond that, innumerable entries listing his involvement with council matters in his role of Mayor, and yet more involvement with Water Board, Harbour Board, Hospital Committee, Schools Committee, gold diggings, etc. etc. Yet, despite possessing all that information, try as I might, I can't find, and would dearly like to have, a photo. I feel there will be one - perhaps more. From here at the other side of the world, if I might ask please, without putting anyone to any trouble, is there a possibility of looking towards the council in Kumara to see if there is a publicly available photograph etc. of James Alexander Murdoch that may be legally copied. Were that to include his wife Margaret (only info - born C1881, don't know where, died C1971, New Zealand), then what a bonus. Despite her husband's years of council work, I can only find one newspaper entry listing her as 'Mayoress'
