OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 187, 7 May 1934, Page 3

OBITUARY

Mr. W. P. McGirr One of Wellington’s best-known crick- v eters in the ’eighties of last century, Mr. W. P. McGirr, died at his residence, 8 Pinelands Avenue, Seatoun, yesterday afternoon. "(‘ Born in 1859, he was brought to New Zealand by his parents when 10 yearn of age. A hand-setting compositor by trade, Mr. McGirr worked on the “Olutha Leader” for gome years, ami joined the staff of the Government Printing Office In Wellington about 1875, remaining there until he retired in 1915, after 40 years’ service. He was a noted cricketer in his youth, and represented Wellington for several years. He played for the' old Star Club, and later for the Midland Club. His strong point was bawling, and he used t to send down a delivery at about the same pace as his son, Mr. H. M. McGirr, the well-known Wellington and New Zealand representative. The late Mr. McGirr was also a useful batsman and a smart fieldsman. One of his best performances was for Wellington against the Australian team in 1886, when Jones and Palmer put on 202 for Australia’s first wicket. In that innings the Australians totalled 475. Mr. McGirr sent down 248 balls, off which only 58 runs were scored, and captured two wickets,, his victims being Palmer and Jones. ■ s Among his best bbwllng performances for the province were four wickets for 17 against Hawke’s Bay in 1886, and five for 30 and one for 23 against Nelson in the same year. He scored 47 not out for Wellington against Nelson in 1888, and the following year captured two for 21 and four for 37, and scored 20 and ,31 against Canterbury. He was very proud of the fact that two of his sons had the distinction of representing New Zealand, H. M. McGirr at cricket and L. W. McGirr at Association football Mr. McGirr is survived by a widow and the two sons mentioned. The funeral will take place to-morrow mornMr.W.H. Pratt An old resident of Wanganui, Mr. William Henry Pratt, who was bom in Riwaka, Nelson, in 1852, died at his residence, 31 Great North Road, on Saturday. , b ; . Mr. Pratt was well known in the'art world as an amateur painter. As a boy he lived in Lyttelton and Christchurch, later going to England to continue his art studies. He married at Home, and on returning to New Zealand farmed in the Wanganui and Nelson districts, retiring some years ago to his home on St. John’s Hill He was a member for some years of the Wanganui Arts and Crafts Society, and exhibited delicate water colours. His father was a founder of Dunstal House, better known as Ballantyne's, in Christchurch. He is survived by a widow aud four sons and four daughters, five • sisters, and one brother. He had three grandchildren.