OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 29 September 1930, Page 11

OBITUARY.

SIR JOHN NORTONGRIFFITHS. AN ADVENTUROUS CAREER. (■UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —ES ELECTBIC TELEGHAPH —COFYBIGHT.) (Received September 28th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. The deatli has occurred at Cairo of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John NortonGriffiths, public works contractor, aged 59. Though hest known for blowing up the Messines bridge and destroying the Rumanian oil wells Sir John Norton-Griffiths had lived a most adventurous life. He sailed r°r Australia in a wind-jammer when agecl 17. He ran away from the shift, »nu remained for some time in Australia. Ho earned the name of ''Empire Jack" for his wefrk done during the W The London manager of the firm this morning received a cable from Sir John reporting the state of certain negotiations, but received no hint tnat there was anything untoward. FOUND DEAD IN BOAT. HIS MISSION TO EGYPT. (Received September 2£th, 5.5 p.m.) CAIRO. September 27. Sir John Norton-Griffiths was seen to go out in a small boat from Ramleigh in the morning. He paddled for some distance, and. then observers ashore noticed the boat drifting and apparently unoccupied. Swimmers hastened to the spot, and a P" 11 .?® launch examined tiie boat. teir was found lying in the bottom deaa, shot in the right temple. He ca.ne to Egypt to deal Wlt h 0 dispute between the Egyptian Government and his firm regarding the Assouan Dam heightening contract, tho British engineers alleging that it wa» impossible to chrry on in face of constant pin-pricks and obstruction- arising; from the incompetence of the inexperienced Egyptian inspectors. Work was last D John Norton-Griffiths stated that no other course was open for the protection of the firm's reputation. The Egyptian Government alleged that the work was not proceeding at the proper speed. It was known that Sir John NortonGriffiths was very worried. [John Norton-Griffiths, engineer and public works contractor, governingdirector of Norton-Griffiths and Ltd., had an adventurous career, ne was in command of scouts m ® Matabelo War, 1896-7. He also saw much service in the South War. In the Great War he received authority to raise the 2nd King kowa.d's Horse, and was subsequently attached to the staff of the Engmeerin£hief, General to organise and initiate tunnelling companies. He went on a special mission to Rumania in connexion with oil and corn stores in that ?tatfawarded ,the D.S.O. in 1916, K.C.B. in 1917, and was created a baronet in 1022 He was M.P. for Wednesbury and for Wandsworth Central 1918-24.]

DR. A. S. WAY. LONDON. September 26, The death is announced of Dr. Arthur S. ' Way, 1 the distinguished scholar and translator of Horace, Euripides, Virgil, and many other classical authors, at the age of 83. Dr. Way was headmaster of Wmlev College, Melbourne, from 1882-to 1892, and aJTellow of Queen s College, Melbourne. < MR A. HOWES.

(FSISa ABEOCUTIOK MtXOiAll.l

NEW PLYMOUTH, September 28.

The death of Mr A» A. Sowps, principal of the firm of A. A. Howes Md Co., occurred suddenly at New Plymouth on Saturday night. He arrived on Friday night on a business visit. His homo was in Dunedin. , ''' •

MR M. C. SIMES. The death of Mr Moir Craddock (Doc) Simes, son of Mr Walter iflSimes,, 126 Bealey street, occurred at Hainmer Springs on Friday. Mr Simes was in his 28th year.

Always an exceedingly popular young 'man, Mr Simes was educated at the Christchurch Boys' High richopi. H© represented his school at football, cricket, and swimming* . When he *&*> he joined the staff of hisfather® firm, Messrs W. E* Simes : and Co., auctioneers. Later- he . engaged 10 farming at Ashburton Forks, _ Stony- : hurst, and at the time of Sis deatfl was farming at Hanmer Springs. He became a member of thte Hanmer Springs Cricket Club when he first settled in the district, and was very enthusiastic about the game. He was also secretary of the fcianmer Springs Golf Club, in Augustof laßt year Mr Simes married Miss Edna I. Lindsay, of Woodham road, Linwood. . The funeral, held at thp Bromley Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, was very largely attended. The Rev. v. Fitagerald officiated at the graveside.' The chief mourners were Mrs Mr W. E. Simes, Messrs Maurice and Ravmond Simes. and Mrs Kenneth Hethorinerton. The pall-bearers were Messrs M. Simes, Harold Smith, .John A. Scott, 13. R. Sampson/ K. S. Hetherington and 'O. W. Evans. Among the layge number of wreaths sent there were tributes from , _tne Hanmer Springs Cricket and / bolt Clubs, the Christchurch High School Old Boys? Association, and Football Club, and the . Canterbury Rabbit Breeders' Association.

REV. JOHN HOLLAND.

A tribute, to the great, services rendered to the Church by the Rev. John Holland was made at St. Augustine's Church, Cashmere Hills, yesterday by the vicar (Rev. A. H. Norris). The funeral will take place to-day, a service bfiin? held first at St. Augustine's Church The place of interment will be the Barbadoes 6treet Cemetery. ■ '