Obituary

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2955, 26 April 1898, Page 5

Obituary

MR JAMBS GRA_ Quite a gloom was cast over Milton on Friday last, when a cable message arrived from Melbourne stating that Mr James Gray of Milton, had passed away on the previous -ySunday, at the residence of bis sister in that city. Io faot, tbe snddeneßs of Mr Gray'a death came like a shock to all, as it wwars r not generally known that hia illness was anything more than a slight indisposition. Tbe late Mr Gray was born at Portobello near Edinburgh 64 yearß ago. In early life he went to Ayr where he laid the foundation of his business experience ; remaining there till tbe year 1862, when he determined to emigrate to Otago. It is noteworthy of the late Mr Gray's character that during all the intervening years he kept np a correspondence with his employer in Ayr, and no one will hear with more fgrei of his loaß, nor mourn more sincerely for him than bis old friend Mr Bobinson, in Ayr. On his arrival in Otago by the Pladda, towards the end of 1862, Mr Gray at once fonnd employment with Messrs Barron and Campbell, of Rat'ray Street, Dunedin, but he remained there for a short time only, as he was engaged by Meaßrs Smith and Hibbard, to proceed to their store in Milton, where he arrived towards the close of 1863. Soon afterwards he was sent to take oharge of one of tbeir stores oa the Diggings at Mt. Benger, where he remained for some time, returning to the store in Milton, When the dissolution of partnership between Messrs Smith and Hlbbard took plaoe, the business was taken over by Messrs Souter, Hialop, and Gray employees of tbat firm, and carried on by them for several years. Later on Messrs Souter and Hislop sold tbeir interest in the business to Mr Gray, who has since carried it on most successfully on r his own account. Mr Gray waa too busily engaged in the extensive interests of his large business to give very mnoh of his time or ability to matters outside, but in several of ways he materially assisted in the promotion of a number of local aff*ira whicb to day speak for themselves. He was the chief promoter of the Bruce Dairy Factory, and although as a company it was not hocoaisful owing to want of management, directly Mr Gray took over the factory and gave it bis personal oversight, it proved a most suooeßaful business and has continued to do so ever since. At the time of bis deoease, Mr Gray was a director of the Bruce Woollen Co., a member of the High Sohool Committee, and office-bearer of the Presbyterian Cbu'cb, and author of the scheme for collecting the money by whioh tb» congregation was enabled to erect the handsome new churoh wblflb now adorns tho town. He was aleo «fe one time a member of the Ml ton Borough Connoil> It appears that the late Mr Gray's health had not been at all good for a considerable period, and he was aware for a long time past that he was Bubject to some functional disorder, bnt was always able to attend to business., till quite recently when hiß Itrength gave way, and after getting medical advice, he found that entire rest from business was absolutely necessary. He made np his mind to take a short sea voyage to •cc If that would benefit him, and left for Melbourne by the b.b. Wakatipu on Wednesday the 6th of April, but the voyage seem* to have been too much for his weakened ■tate, as he was very ill on tbe way across, and was only a few days in Melbourne when on Sunday the 17th the end came, at the residence of his only sister— Mrs Wright. Fortunately he was attended to by Mr" Gray, who aooompanied him 00 the trip aoross. ' , Ihe late Mr Gray leaves a widow ana fonr ohildren— two sons and two daughters —to mourn their loss. Hia remains will bebrought to Milton by the train to-day, and tbe fnneral will take plaoe to-morrow.