OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 9

OBITUARY

Mr, J. R. Gair News has just been received of the death in Brisbane of a former highlyesteemed resident of Wellington, Mr. John R. Gair, aged 77. His name figures prominently in the history of Wellington College, where he was a former and very popular pupil from 1576 to 1879. lie was a contemporary of the following Old BoysW. H. Field, M. C. Barnett, Sir Louis Barnett, Professor H. B. Kirk. James C. 'Webb, Sir James Hutchison. Arthur and Campbell Young, R. S. Hirschberg, W. 11. Morran, the late F. M. Leckie, and others of the day of the late principal, Kenneth Wilson, M.A. Born at South Yarra, he received his early education at Bundoora Academy, Melbourne, and. after attending 'Wellington College and playing in the football team against Nelson College in 1579, he finished his course at 'Western College, Melbourne, in 1881. After some years of legal practice he became Registrar of the Supreme Court in Rockhampton, retiring in 1932. His only son, Lieut. Ivan Noble Gair, died of wounds at Bellecourt in 1918, and his wife died in 193 t. The late Mr. Gair was an enthusiastic golfer, having formed the Brisbane Golf Club and the Charters Towers Golf Club, of which he was secretary for many years. He was also a life member of the Rockhampton Golf Chib. He was president of the Rockhampton School of Arts in 1935-3 G and he took an active interest in education. Of late his health failed :rs the result of a serious accident and a major operation, and after living the last three years in Brisbane, he died peacefully. He is survived by a married daughter, Mrs. North, wife of Mr. A. J. North, manager of the Commonwealth Bank, Darwin. Mr. C. Grey The death has occurred at Oakura, Taranaki, of Mr. C. Grey, oldest member of the New Zealand Old Comrades Association. Mr. Grey joined the Armed Constabulary in 1572, and later, coming to Wellington, the Torpedo Corps. As a member of the Torpedo Corps he saved a man from drowning <u a rough sea and for this was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society. Two long service medals were presented to Mr. Grey. In his youth Mr. Grey was a noted athlete and scored many successes at sports meetings in Taranaki. British Rear-Admiral LONDON, February 12. Rear-Admiral Fitzgerald, a former commander of H.M.A.S. Sydney, has died on active service. He was invested a Companion of the Bath in July in recognition of distinguished services in command of a naval expeditionary force which carried out special minelaying duties.