ALPERS, OSCAR THORWALD JOHAN (1867-1927) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and educated at Kelskov's grammar school there. Coming to New Zealand in the Friedeburg with his parents at the age of eight, he completed his education at the Napier High School. In 1884 he entered upon his studies at Canterbury College, where he graduated B.A. (1887) and M.A. (1888), with first-class honours in languages and literature and the John Tinline scholarship.

For three years Alpers was assistant to the professor of English, J. Macmillan Brown (q.v.), and he engaged in literary work for the Christchurch papers, in dramatic productions and in debating societies. He was some years (from 1889) master at the Christchurch Boys' High School, all the time increasing his salary by journalism. In 1904 he graduated LL.B. and was admitted to the bar. He practised for some time in partnership with J. W. White, crown prosecutor at Timaru, moved to Christchurch in 1908, and in 1910 joined the firm of Garrick, Cowlishaw and Co. In 1911 he married Natalie, daughter of Henry Rose (Dunedin). In addition to journalistic work, Alpers wrote a good deal in a better literary style, both to New Zealand publications and to English reviews. As a poet he had some standing. His jubilee ode, written in 1900, struck a high note and he had poems in College Rhymes (1923) and the Jubilee Book of Canterbury Verse (which he edited in 1900). In 1902 he collaborated with R. F. Irvine in The Progress of New Zealand in the Century, and before his death he completed a fine volume of personal reminiscences (Cheerful Yesterdays, 1928).

In 1925 he was appointed to the supreme court bench. During the war of 1914-18 Alpers conducted a journal, the Red Cross Record (the profits of which were expended upon the Rannerdale home for soldiers), and he was chairman of a citizens' committee interested in a soldiers' club. He died on 21 Nov 1927.

Alpers, op. cit. (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1924; N.Z. Law Jour., 1927; Annals N.Z. Lit; The Dominion, 28 Nov 1927; The Press, 9 Feb 1925, 22, 28 Nov 1927; Lyttelton Times, 22 Nov 1927.

Reference: Volume 1, page 22

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