DR. F. J. RAYNER DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 3

DR. F. J. RAYNER DEAD.

WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN

FIRST AAA. PRESIDENT

KEEN SPORTSMAN

AND ANGLER

The death occurred this morning of Dr. Frederick John Rayner, a wellknown Auckland business man. He died in a private hospital of acute peritonitis. Dr. Rayner. who was 56 years of age, was born in Toronto. Canada, and was the son of Mr. Samuel Rayner, a former officer of the British Army who had served in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. D- r - Rayner was educated at Toronto and Chicago Uni\ersities, and at the age of 20 he took the degree of doctor of dentistry. He was married at 21 to Miss Ethel McLeod, of Woodstock, Ontario. Four years later he came to Auckland and opened a dental business which was carried on under the name of American Dental Parlors.

Dr. Earner became interested in a number of business enterprises. He took up a timber block at Piha in 1913, and later purchased a. large area of lorest. in the Taupo district. He was governing director of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., which now controls 15 picture houses.

Dr. Rayner was a very keen sportsman. He was a foundation member and first president of the Auckland Automobile Association, and was later made a life member. He was a member of the Auckland Trotting Club and owned a large number of trotters. He was one of the founders of the Auckland Gun Club, and won many shooting trophies in New Zealand and Australia. He took a great interest in fishing, and had a fishing lodge at Lake Roto-iti. Dr. Rayner was a man of very charitable nature, and he was always ready to help Auckland charitable organisations. "Moose House," near Mountain Road, the home of Dr. Rayner, was well known on account of its picturesque ground?, and native bush. Mrs. Rayner died hvo years ago in America, and Dr. Earner's only relative in New Zealand is Mr. F. W. Prouting, a nephew. There are two sisters and a brother in Toronto, and another sister in Minnesota, U.S.A. The funeral will take place at Hillsboro' Cemetery on Thursdav afternoon.