WILLIAM JAMES, first VISCOUNT PIRRIE, K.P., of Belgrave-square, W., and Witley Park, Surrey, chairman of Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Lord Mayor of Belfast, 1896-97, who died on board ship in the Panama Canal on June 7, left property in England of the gross value of £707,785, with net personalty £73,869.

The will states:---

"I make no bequests to charitable purposes as I have always felt that a man is better able to do during his lifetime all that is in his mind in that way, and so do good more directly and efficiently." He trusts "that the Treasury will not insist on immediate payment of death duties, but will permit them to be paid by easy installments, so as not to render necessary a forced sale of any shares held in Harland and Wolff."

Further details of Lord Pirrie's estate and will, including his disposition of his shares in Harland and Wolff, Limited, and his requests as to the future control and policy of that company, appeared in The Times of April 4 last.