OBITUARY

MR C. C. M. OLLIVIER One of the city's widest-knovfti business men, Mr Cecil Claude Morton Ollivier, died at his home, "Glenelg," Murray Aynsley's Kill, early this morning, after .an Ulness of eight months. Mr OUivier was in his fif-ty-eighth year. Although he was known to a large proportion of the public through his business connexions—rha was on the directorate of a number of prominent companies in the city, end was recognised by competent authorities as one of the ablest business men; in New Zealand—his close association with trotting In the Dominion and in Christchurch particularly made him a familiar figure to thousands of followers of that sport.

Mr OUivier, who was the son of Mr. Arthur Morton Ollivier, was born in Christchurch—in Opawa—in July, 1878. Ke tvas educated U Christ's College, where he took a prominent part in scholastic and sporting life, representing the college at both football and cricket in 1895 and 1896. Mr OUivier early showed a leaning towards a career in financial circles, rnd studied to be an accountant. In these studies he was successful, and became a Fellow of the Institute of Accountants of New Zealand, and a Fellow Public Accountant of New Zealand. j

He was in business as a consulting accountant for some years, in the firm of Ollivier Brothers, and the knowledge of business methods he gained in those years proved invaluable when he gave his attention to the management of the companies in which he was interested. One of his most striking attributes as a company director and business adviser was his ability to analyse complicated accounts £iid lay bare the essential features of a firm's business operations, to point to its weaknesses and its strength, and to make valuable suggestions for improvement. Indeed. it has been said of him that he liked best to become associated with companies that were at a low ebb, so that he might be able to enjoy the arduous work of rehabilitating their finances. In this he showed conspicuous ability. Mr Ollivier's wide business interests are indicated by the companies of which he was a director. He was probcbly best known for his connexion with the Woolston Tanneries, Ltd., of which he was chairman of directors. In this position he showed a deep and ready interest in the affairs of the em* ployees of the company, and a number of these have had cause to be grateful for his personal assistance. Proof of the high esteem in which he was held is given by the fact that during his long illness' he was frequently visited by

workmen from the factory, who showed a sincere interest in his condition, and deep sympathy with him. He was one of the trustees of the Fuller-Hay-ward Corporation, Ltd., and a director of Christchurch Cinemas, Ltd. He was chairman of directors of Beath and Company, Ltd., and of Bonds Hosiers* MHls, Ltd., and a director of the Golden Bay Cement Works, Ltd., p.nd the Glaxo Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

Mr Ollivier was a vers' keen trotting enthusiast, and besides racing on a fairly extensive scale he bred horses and was a vice-president of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, wlrch he represented on many occasions at the annual conference of trotting club delegates. He was a'so a member of the stipendiary stewards' committee and wan on the executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference. When racing under the assumed prime of "Mr C. Channing" he won I the New Zealand Cuo and National Cup in 1922 with Agathos, and in later years he won the Great Northern Derby and New Brighton Handicap with Glenelg. For many years W. Warren trained for Mr Ollivier, and in later years M. Holmes had had charge of the team. MR LEWIS A. GRAHAM One of the oldest residents of Lyttelton, Mr Lewis Anderson Graham, died suddenly yesterday afternoon while spending a holiday with Mr and Mrs J. D. Bundy, Brittan terrace. Mr Graham, who was in his eightieth year, was born in Lyttelton in 1855. and was the son of Mr and Mrs William Graham. As a youth he entered the service of Messrs Brown and Smith, drapers, of Lyttelton, with which firm he remained for %-ery! many years. He was very well known! ot! Banks Peninsula as the traveller for the firm. Later he was traveller for the firm of Forbes, Ltd., of Lyttelton, with which firm he remained until his retirement, some years ago. A staunch member and supporter of Holy Trinity Church, Mr Graham served both as a vestryman and as a synodsman. He was a member of the Loyal City of Norwich Lodge for more than 60 years, and was a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Lyttelton District. His wife died about a year ago, and he is survived by a son, Mr A. L. Graham, Christchurch, a daughter, Mrs G. T. Anderson, Christchurch, and by a brother. Mr J, C. Graham. of Matamata, formerly of Christchurch, and a sister, Mrs F. Leggett, of Christchurch-'

MR JAMES RODGERSON

The death occurred recently at Tabart street, Opawa, of Mr James Rodgcrson, a well-known and highlyrespected officer of the New Zealand Railways. Mr Rodgcrson was born at Whitehaven, Cumberland. He arrived in New Zealand in 1884, and shortly afterwards joined the Railway Department at the Hillside workshops, Dunedin, where he was a leading hand for many years. When the rolling stock was equipped with Westinghouse automatic brakes. Mr Ro.'gerson was appointed brake inspector for the South Island, with headquarters at Christchurch. and in thi3 position he became well known to all railway officials. He was a most conscientious officer, very popular with the staff, and always ready to assist them with his technical knowledge. He retired on superannuation a few years ago, and has since lived quietly at his home in Opawa. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Messrs R. Ro gerson, of Palmerston North, and w. Rod gerson, of woolston, and two daunht"rs, Mrs Gardner, of Masterton, and Miss Rodfierson, of Opawa.