Obituary MR C. G. HOLMES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29060, 24 November 1959, Page 17

Obituary MR C. G. HOLMES

Mr Charles Gerald de Gorham Holmes, who died recently, was a prominent resident of Waimate for 40 years until he retired and moved to Christchurch 15 years ago. He was 90. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, in 1868, Mr Holmes was educated at St Peters, York, which was founded more than 600 years ago and is probably the oldest public school in England. He arrived in New Zealand as a farming cadet at the age, of 17, and it was not until he was 30 that he began to study dentistry. He set up practice in Waimate. and maintained it for about 40 years until his retirement. He served terms on the Waimate Borough Council and on the Waimate High School board of governors. He was made a life member of the Waimate Golf Club and of the Caledonian Society.’ Mr Holmes became a member of the Hagley Golf Club and of the Edgeware Bowling Club when he came to Christchurch, maintaining an active interest in golf until’he was 84, and bowls until earlier this year. He was a regular contributor to the “New Zealand Golf Illustrated” until about 30 years ago. He maintained an appreciation of life and interest in world affairs throughout his life. Mr Holmes is survived by his wife, to whom he was married in Hastings 52 years ago, a son, Mr G. N. L. Holmes, who is in partnership with a firm of barristers and solicitors in Christchurch. and two daughters, Mrs J. M. Shanks, of Dunedin, and Mrs J. G. Perry, of Napier. A sister, Miss I. Holmes, of Cheltenham, England, also survives him.