OBITUARY

MR. J. S. FLETCHER

EX-MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

The death occurred in Auckland yesterday of Mr. John ■S. Fletcher, formerly member of Parliament for Grey Lynn, aged 46. Mr. Fletcher was horn in Scotland and as a boy and young man won scholarships which gave him his higher education. At the ago of 2-1 ho was appointed headmaster of the technical and commercial continuation classes conducted by the Kirkintilloch School Board. He was later secretary of the Scottish Class Teachers' Association and a member of thb committee of the Scottish Educational Institute. He lived in Glasgow, where lie was vicepresident of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Mr. Fletcher came to New Zealand during the war and joined his brothers in the Fletcher Construction Company, Limited. After studying constructional engineering in Great Britain, the United States and Canada, he was appointed a director of the firm and manager of tho Dunedin branch. After several years lie retired from business owing to health reasons, but interested himself in public life. In 1928 he stood as a United Party candidate for Grey Lynn and defeated the then Labour member, Mr. F. N. Bartram. He sat in only one Parliament and was noted for his independent leanings, especially after the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward from the Prime Ministership. Mr. Fletcher contested the Grey Lynn seat at the last general election, but was defeated by Mr. J. A. Lee. His health had not been strong for several years and he had been living mainly in retirement in Auckland. He maintained an interest in the work of the Y.M.C.A. He is survived by his widow. MR. A. C. ROBINSON Tho death occurred at Auckland recently of Mr. Arthur Cecil Robinson, aged 60. He was a grandson of Mr. Joshua Robinson, who arrived in New Zealand by the ship Duchess of Argyle in 1542. Mr. A. C. Robinson joined the Auckland staff of the Post and Telegraph Department in 1896 and remained in Auckland throughout his period of service.- He is survived by his widow and a family of five, Messrs. Cecil and Arthur Robinson, of Auckland, Mrs. F. N. Harry and Miss A. Robinson, of Auckland, and Mrs. H. Drake, of Chicago. | MRS! SARAH McCOMISH

The death occurred at Auckland on Wednesday of Mrs. Sarah McComish, an old resident of Taranaki and Auckland, aged 88. She was residing with. her daughter, Mrs. E. Fuller, of Chelsea Avenue, Otahuhu. Mrs. McComish was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Harrison, who settled in Taranaki before the Maori Wars. She was married about 70 years ago to Mr. James McComish, then bandmaster of a British regiment. Later they resided in Auckland, where Mr. McComish formed the city's first military band. MR. HENRY HOLMES [from our owx correspondent] TE AROHA, Thursday The death occurred at his residence. Whitaker Street, To Aroha, yesterday of Mr. Henry Holmes, at the age of 84 years. Mr. Holmes and his wife arrived in New Zealand 63 years ago in the sailing ship Star of India, the voyage taking 105 days. Shortly after his arrival in Wellington Mr. Holmes was engaged on a sheep station in the Wairarapa district, and some years later he was appointed manager of the Highden Estate, in the Matamata district., owned by the late Hon. Walter Johnston, of Wellington, a position ho occupied for 20 years. Later, Mr. Holmes farmed a property at Feilding and 23 years ago he took tip a farm property at Waitoa. Tho farm is now being conducted by his son, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes having come to To Aroha to reside a few years ago. Mrs Holmes died in 1929. Mr. Holmes is survived by a family of four, Mrs. Charles Morison, Miss M. Holmes and Messrs. E. J. and C. H. Holmes. The funeral to-day was very largely attended.