OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 7

OBITUARY

W. IL GAVIN, M. INST. G.E. Very sincere regret was felt in Wellington last evening when tho death of Mr. W. H. Gavin, Government inspecting engineer, became known. The late Mr. Gavin, who was 55 years of age, was the son of Mr. J. C. Gavin, Assistant Controller and Auditor-General. He roepived h : s early primary education at the Terrace School and later at Trent College, England. Having selected engineering as his profession he entered the Crystal Palace School of Engineering, and on his return to New Zealand joined the P\b-\j Works Department as cadet. His first position was as an assistant engineer in Otago, shortly after he was appointed resident engineer on the Mid’and railway. In order to gain further experience abroad, Mr. Gavin resigned, this position, and in 1913 journeyed to South Africa, where his services were eagerly sought after for the carrying out of railway constructional works. Perhaps the most important work which ?Jr. Gavin undertook was that in connection with the Western Pacific Ralwav under G. Brogue. In 1003 he returned, in

w Zealand and was at once appointed ensrineer nt the Otira tunnel. When in 1913 the Government took the work out of the hands of Messrs. John McLean and Sons, Mr. Gavin accepted the position as resident engineer, and in August of the same year he was appointed inspecting engineer with head quarters in Wel'lngton, a position he retained until the time of his death. Mr*» Gavin’s health had been causing his friends some anxiety ,of late, but it was hofed that tho temporary relinquishment of his duties would restore him to his accustomed vigour, but such, unfortunately, was not the case. Mr. Gavin leaves a- widow and one sou.