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James Wren Carlile
"Swearing Jimmy" Small, spare, and learned. A man whose extensive vituperative vocabulary earned him one of Napier's most memorable legal nicknames.
From Oxford to Colonial Napier.
An Oxford education. Middle Temple training. And a colourful vocabulary that would become legend in the colonial courts of Hawke's Bay.
"Small, spare, and learned."
Born in Ireland
James Wren Carlile was born in Ireland in 1842, into a world that would soon prepare him for the rigours of legal practice.
Balliol College, Oxford
Educated at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a Master of Arts degree. His time at one of Oxford's oldest and most prestigious colleges laid the foundation for a distinguished legal career.
Called to the Bar
Called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1870 - one of the four Inns of Court in London where barristers have trained since the medieval period. He practised law in England before seeking new horizons.
Arrives in Napier
Carlile immigrated to Napier in 1874, establishing the legal practice that would become Carlile Dowling. He would serve the Hawke's Bay community until 1898 - the year of his death while visiting England.
The Stories They Tell
It was his extensive vituperative vocabulary that truly set him apart. In legal circles, he became known affectionately as "Swearing Jimmy."
The Bishop Incident
Dr Stuart, the Bishop of Waiapu, was a client of the firm of Carlile & McLean. Seeing him leave, Carlile shuffled across the passage and, without seeing the Bishop had unexpectedly returned, said to McLean:
"Hello, I see that bow-legged specimen of the Lord's anointed has been here again."
Then suddenly catching sight of the Bishop, he slammed the door and bolted.
The Disembowelling Request
Having failed to obtain information he needed from one of Napier's earliest legal firms, Wilson & Cotterill, Carlile called to his clerk, one George Stock:
"I've been there, Stock, but they won't give me any information. Do go along straight away and disembowel the buggers."
The Baby Blessing
Mrs H. A. Cornford had just had a babe, E. Cornford, who later became a partner in Cornford, Langley, Twigg & Doole - another of Napier's distinguished legal firms.
Meeting her out with the baby one day, Carlile raised his hat and with a beaming smile greeted Mrs Cornford:
"Good afternoon, Mrs Cornford. So this is your new little baby."
And laying his hand on the infant's head went on with what the chronicler describes as "a compassionate thought" - words that were quintessentially Carlile.
The Horse Named Jehovah
Swearing Jimmy kept a horse which was known throughout Napier as Jehovah.
Why? Because it was "the most high horse in Napier."
Despite his colourful vocabulary - or perhaps because of it - James Wren Carlile was highly respected by his colleagues for his knowledge of the law.
Held in affection for his eccentricities.
From Carlile & McLean to Carlile Dowling
In 1881, Carlile formed a partnership with Patrick McLean, establishing the practice under the name Carlile and McLean. This partnership laid the foundation for what would eventually become Carlile Dowling.
Now serving Hawke's Bay for over 150 years, the firm that bears his name continues the tradition of legal excellence he established in colonial Napier.
Born
Called to Bar
Arrives Napier
Passed Away