Mr. James Tait, J.P., was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, and left his native land in 1851. After being ten years in Victoria, he settled in Christchurch and established himself in business as a builder, contractor, and monumental mason. He erected a large number of very important buildings, including the offices of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in Hereford Street; Fisher's Buildings, corner of High Street; Mr. John Lewis' buildings in Hereford Street; the railway passengers' station; Government Insurance Buildings, Cathedral Square; Messrs. Reece and Sons' building in Colombo Street; Anderson's foundry, Cashel and Lichfield streets; the Museum, and a considerable portion of the Cathedral. Mr. Tait was a Justice of the Peace for many years and had been connected with local governing bodies; he filled the office of mayor of Sumner, and was for some time a councillor of the City of Christchurch. He carried on business at 275 Cashel Street, at the corner of Montreal Street, where he owned a large section of land and premises having 15,000 square feet of floor space. He practically retired from business in 1895 leaving the management to his son, Mr. J. A. Tait, who is now conducting it on his own account. Mr. Tait died on the 3rd of July, 1898.