OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 12

OBITUARY

Mr. William Rattray The death occurred at Auckland on Wednesday of Mr. William Rattray, aged 82, after a short illness. He was honorary secretary of St John Ambulance Association in Auckland for 39 years, and in that capacity had rendered great service to the city. Mr. Rattray, says a Special Service message, was one of Auckland’s pioneers, having arrived with his parents from . England in 1853. As a young man he was engaged in business, first as a draper and later as a house and .land agent. He' succeeded his father on the committee of the Auckland Infirmary, and was later a member of the Auckland City Council. On his appointment as secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association, Mr. Rattray set himself the task of raising funds for the building ,of an ambulance station. Mr. Rattray married in 1882 a daughter of Archdeacon Fenton, of Oamaru, and his wife later organised what was believed to be the first street collection. The honour of the Commander of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem was conferred upon him in 1929; he also held the long serservice medal of the order. Mr. Rattray is survived by two sons, < the Rev. W. H. W. Rattray, vicar of -

“Point Chevalier, and Mr. C. M. Rattray, solicitor, of Auckland. One-fifth of Mr. Rattray’s estate will be for the benefit of the New Zealand Mission Trust Board and another fifth for the St John Ambulance Association.