James arrived in Western Australia in July 1875 with the task of expanding and improving the Titles Office. He held the position until his death in 1899. At times, James acted as Registrar of the
Supreme Court of Western Australia, Registrar in bankruptcy, and Stipendiary Magistrate of Perth. He was gazetted as a
Justice of the Peace for the colony in 1886 and Police Magistrate in June 1897. In June 1887 he was appointed as the fourth nominee member of the
Western Australian Legislative Council during the absence of Sir
John Forrest in London. He sat for two sessions and retired in February 1888. He also held positions of Resident Magistrate, Guildford from September 1887 for a time and again between about 1897 and 1898. He was acting
Puisne Judge between February 1898 and January 1899. Together with George Parker (brother of
Stephen Henry Parker) and
Josceline Amherst, James established the
Western Australian Cricket Association in 1884, obtaining a grant the following year on the foreshore at
East Perth and the 'Association Ground'. He held the presidency of the Association from 1884 to 1899. James played with the Metropolitans/
Perth Cricket Club. He married Rebecca Catherine Clifton, eldest daughter of
Charles Hippuff Clifton at St George's Church in Perth on 16 September 1885. They had seven children, the youngest being actor and soldier
M. E. Clifton James. As well as having an avid interest in cricket, James was involved in a number of other sports and sporting associations including being a steward of the
Western Australian Turf Club from 1887 to 1897. He was also president of the
Swan River Mechanics' Institute from 1887 and was involved in the arts with an interest in amateur Shakespearean theatre as well as in music, painting and sculpture. Socially, he was a leading figure in the community. After his father's death in 1886, he inherited the family Gloucester and Devon estates. James built a grand English style residence in Goderich Street, Perth called Romansleigh, named after the Devon property. He was a member of the
Carlton Club in
London and
Hurlingham Yacht Club and
Royal Yacht Squadron of England. John James died in Perth on 3 February 1899 after a short illness and was buried at
East Perth Cemeteries. ==References==