OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 162, 22 April 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR CHARLES B. GASS. % The death of Mr Charles Benjamin Gass, formerly well-known in Ashburton as proprietor of the Commercial Hotel and lessee of the Somerset Hotel, occurred at his residence, 104 St. Martin’s Road, Christchurch, yesterday. Mr Gass was for many years in charge of the saddlery department of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association, and about 25 years ago he bought the Commercial Hotel, later leasing the Somerset Hotel. It was only comparatively recently that he gave up charge of the Somerset Hotel. Possessing a pleasing voice, Mr Gass was much sought after as a singer at social functions in and around Ashburton in his younger days, and he also sang and gave cornet solos at concerts. He Avas a member of the choir of St. Stephen’s. Anglican Church for many years and took a prominent part, in productions of the old Orchestral Society. He filled important roles in operas produced for patriotic purposes during the last Avar. He also Avas an enthusiastic member of the Savage Club. Mr Gass Avas conductor of the Ashburton County Brass Band for a time and Avas also a member of the Temperance Band. In his younger days, Mr Gass Avas a keen player of hockey and in later years Avas a member of the Golf Club. He Avas a member of the Thistle Masonic Lodge. About 18 months ago he Avent to live at Christchurch, liaA ring suffered a break-down in health several years ago. Mr Gass, is survived by his Avife (formerly Miss Elsie Tippett, of Tinwald), tAvo daughters (Miss Mary Gass, of Ashburton, and Miss Betty Gass, of Wellington), and two sons (Mr O. Gass, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force) and Mr C. Gass, of the Merchant Marine. ADMIRAL SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, April. 21. Admiral Sir James Fergusson, brother of Sir Charles Fergusson, Gov-ernor-General of New Zealand from 1924. to 1930, died in England on April Ifi. Advice to this effect has been received by Mrs Algar Williams, of Christchurch. Admiral Fergusson, Avho was living in retirement, had been in bad health for some years. He Avas born in 1871. He served with distinction in the South African War and the 1914.-18 war. From 1924 to 1920, he was commanderin chief North America and West Indies station. He attained the rank or admiral in 1920. In 1901 he married Kiiss Githa Williams, youngest daughter of the late Mr T. C. Williams, of 'Wellington. Sir James was the son of Sir James Fergusson, Avho Avas Governor of New Zealand for 18 months from June, 1873, to December, 1874.