OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19983, 18 July 1930, Page 11

OBITUARY.

MR WILLIAM REECE. By the death of Mr WiHiwn Reece, a former Mayor of Christchurch, which occurred last night, the City loses one of its prominent public and business men. The news of his death will be received with regret by all sections ot ihe community; He was very charitably inclmeu. and was ever reauy (to lend a.d to those in distress. Mr iveeco had been in 111-heaith for the past three years, but his last illness was of brief duration, as he was out and about till a week ago yesterday. Since the death pf Mrs Reece, four years ago, Mr Reece has resided with his daughter, Mrs L. M. Molineaux, of Upper Ricearton. Horn in Cfrristcburoh m 1856 Mr Reece was a spa of the late Mr Edward Reece, whp arrived in the Domip, ion in 1855\ and who, the following year, established the hardware ana ironmongery business of Messrs E, Reece and Sons. Mr William Reece was educated in Christchurch, and went to England to complete his business training, returning to the Dor minion in 1879 when his father handed over the management of the business to him. This arrangement continued till 1887. when his father died. The conduct of the business de, vrolved on his two sons, Messrs Willjanj and C. B. Reeee: the last mentioned retired in 1892 and the manacement was taken over by Mr William fleece. Mr Reeee was l?ayor of Christchureh in 1900. the jubilee of the foundation of the province pf Canterbury. On that occasion there were many important public functions, and M{ Reece discharged the duties of his high and to the province. Ho was chairman of the Canterbury War Fund Committee which raised and equipped the Third Contingent v (Roughriders) for the South African War, other members, including Mr George Humphreys and the late Mr G. G. Stead, He was the first chairman of the Christehuroh Tramway Board, and held that position from January 21st, 1903, -till June 27th, 1906. The inauguration of the elect?}? t?amway system involved a considerable amount pf work on the Board, and especially on the chairman. Mr Reece hrough't his business training to the work of the Board, and was largely responsible for the sound basis on which if was founded. For the past J0 yea.rs Mr Reece was p director of the Bank of New Zealand, and attended a meeting of the directors about three week? ago. He was a director pf the New Zealand Shipping Company, chairman of directors of the Christeburob Gas Company for many years, and a director at the time of his death, He was one of the original members of the Prisons Board, set up in IPW, and retired from it only a year ago. For many years he was chairman pf 4irectors pf the Westnert-Stoektan Coal Company. He was much interested in the work of the District Nursing Association, of which he was chairman for severaj years, and retired from that position last month, but continued as a member of the committee. He was president of the Male Voice Choir for many years, and also a member pf the Board of Directors of the Boya' Gordon Hall. Mr Reece took a prominent part in the formation of the Natives' Aeaooiatjon, of which he was president. On the occasion of the juhilee of the prqv- I ince the Association puh l! f>l}wJ

terestingr booklet. ''Canterbury Old. apd New,"

Mr Reece is survived by a family of six. His only daughter is Mrs L. M Molineaux. of Upper Riccarton. His sons are: Mr E. T. Reece, Christehurch; Mr,W, A. Eeece. Buenos Aires; Mr C. H. Reece, Christchurch; Dr. L. N. Reeeo Romford, England; and Mr G. N' Reece, Southland.

LAPY HAT. (i;jrrini yaBSS mtvmo T?I«08*Pa-copvbioht.) SYDNIY, July 17. The death has occurred of Lady Ray! &g«d 84. a niece of Dr. Andrew Sinclair, who was the first Colonial Saoretary w New Zealand- She parried Sir John Hay in Auckland. MRS MARGARET WKWZW* SYDNEY, July 17. The death has occurred of Mrs Margaret Meßenaie, one of the oldest in* habitants of the Commonwealth, aged 105 year*.