OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 223, 20 September 1934, Page 10

OBITUARY.

MR. W. G. GRAVE. MOUNTAINEERING PIONEER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OAMARU, Wednesday. The death occurred this morning of Mr. William George Grave, aged Go, a partner in the legal firm of' Messrs. Lee, Grave, Grave and Zimmevmann. He was formerly first assistant master at Waitaki Boys' High School. Mr. Grave, in his younger days, was a noted pioneer in mountaineering and exploration in tho Otago lake district. The Grave-Talbot track between Lake Wakatipu and Milford Sound is named after him. He was one of the first party to make an effort to climb Mount Tutoko. He was accompanied then by the late Dr. Don, who was then rector of Waitaki High School, and Professor T. A. Hunter, of Victoria University College, Wellington. Mr. Grave is survived by his widow and a large family. MRS. ELLEN JEFFS. The death occurred last week after a brief illness of Mrs. Ellen Jeffs, of Church Street, Onehunga, aged 88. Mrs. Jeffs arrived in Auckland in 1863 by the ship Statesman, and married Lieutenant Jeffs, of the Waikato Regiment, three years later. In 1881 they settled in Onehunga, where Lieutenant Jeffs died m 1908. Mrs. Jeffs had grim memories of her experiences in. the Maori, Wars. She used to recall that the gratitude of a Maori youth, whom she had nursed back to health after an illne-ss, once saved her life and that of three British soldiers from attack by Hauhau warriors who were lying in ambush. The youth had been sent one day with two other natives to attack the boat used by the soldiers and settlers to cross the Opotiki River. An ambush was laid, and it was the intention of the Maoris to fire on o.nyone in the boat. When the youth saw that one was the woman who had befriended him he persuaded the other Maoris not to shoot, and all -were allowed to land safely. They knew nothing of their danger until Mrs. Jeffs was told of it later by'a friendly Maori woman. Another incident also illustrates the grim side of colonial life during the struggle with the Maoris. A Roman Catholic priest had invited her to occupy 'his cottage in Opotiki while he was absent for three months on a circuit tour—and had pointed out to her the place above a mantelpiece where some Maoris had set the skull of a murdered clergyman, the Rev. C. S. Volkner. Among Mrs. Jeffs' possessions, bequeathed to her children, is a telescope which belonged to Mr. Volkner, and also a hand-painted sketch of the tree on whieh he was hanged before the body .was cut down. The sword of her late ■husband, which was "broken in combat with a Maori, was much valued by her. Mrs. Jeffs, who had resided in Onehunga for 53 years, is survived "by three sons and one daughter, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. MR. JOHN KENNEDY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAURANGA, this day. The death occurred early this morning of Mr. John Kennedy, one of the best known residents of the district, having been born at Gate Pa 62 years ago. He w.as a son of the late Denis and Elizabeth Kennedy, who lived at Gate Pa before the outbreak of the Maori War. Mr. Kennedy worked in the district all his life, and 10 years ago was employed ■by the Borough Council on the electrical reticulation of the borough. He was known to all as "Old Jack." Owing to ill-health he was forced to cease work a year ago, and his death was not unexpected. Mr. Kennedy married Miss Katherine Harriett Harding, of Gate Pa, 30 years ago, who survives him. There are seven children, Messrs. Dennis, Jack and Ted (Tauranga) and Charlie (Nelson), and Mrs. James Cassidy (Devonport), Mrs. W. N. Young (Te Aroha), and Mrs. Ted Bowger (Tauranga). Mr. Fred Kennedy (Tauranga), Mr. Ted Kennedy (Devonport) are brothers, and Mrs. Wallace (Auckland) is a sister.

MR. JOSHUA LYES. (By .Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Wednesday. The death occurred to-day of Mr. Joshua Lyes, aged 71, an old resident of Thames. Born in Australia, he came to Thames G8 years ago. He worked on most parts of the goldmines field. Mr. Lyes is survived by his wife, three sons and five daughters, Mesdames H. B. Chalton and H. Brown (Thames), F. Nettlingham (Aongatete), and Misses M and E. Lyes, of Thames. . The sons aife Charles (New South Wales), Joshua (Waitakaruru), and Harold (Matatoki).