OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CCXV, Issue 13, 17 January 1938, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR. FRANK J. DYER

CONSUL-GENERAL FOR GREECE

Mr. Frank Joseph, Dyer, a wellknown citizen of Wellington, who has acted as consular representative for the Greek residents of New Zealand since 1905, died suddenly yesterday.

The late Mr. Dyer was born at Melbourne in 1861. He began his education at Scotch College, Melbourne, and upon coming to New Zealand with his parents in 1871 he attended the English High School. Six years later he joined the firm of W. M. Bannatyne and Co. and became a director, ten. years ago, of the limited liability company formed by that firm in 1900. He later joined Levin and Company as representative for the Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company. Mr. len Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Dyer served as Vice-Consul for Greece from 1905 until 1925, when he was appointed Consul. During December of that year a large gathering

Dyer was a director of the old Wellington Piano Company, and was one of the first directors of the original Wellington Electric Light and Power Company, his colleagues being the late Sir Charles Johnston and Mr. J, P. Maxwell. At the time of his death he was a director of the Wellington Woolof Greek residents of Wellington met Mr. Dyer and his wife to express their appreciation of his efforts on their behalf, prominent Greek residents of Wellington commenting on his unflagging interest while filling what was purely an honorary office. Greek' residents of Auckland conveyed similar sentiments to Mr. Dyer by letter and Greeks in all parts of New Zealand subscribed to a handsome presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Dyer. The Greek Government also recognised the services of Mr. Dyer by conferring upon him the. Cross of Officer of the Order of the Redeemer. Again in October, 1936, Mr.; Dyer was honoured by the Greek Government, a Royal Decree promoting him to the rank of honorary ..Consul-.General of the. Kingdom: of Greece for the Dominion of New Zealand. Mr. Dyer took a keen interest in the Greek community until the last arid was to have attended a reception last night by the Panhellenic Society of Wellington to Miss L. Ambadji, who proposes to open a school for Greek children in Wellington. The reception was postponed because of Mr. Dyer's death and leading Greek residents called at their late Consul's residence to pay a tribute to his ; memory. ■

The late Mr. Dyer was a keen sportsman in many fields. He was president of the Tongariro-Waikato Anglers' Club, a member of the Wellington Racing Club, and of the Wellcsley Club; and was widely known for his sporting qualities and good citizenship.

From early days he was a keen angler, and was a member of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society for nearly 25 years, representing the society on the Commission set up by the Government some years ago to inquire into acclimatisation matters. He was formerly treasurer of the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies' Association, and was closely in touch with all acclimatisation affairs, in which he took a great interest.

In the early days he, with' the late Sir Charles Skerrett, took up a property at Wainui-O-Mata, where both got their initiation\ into angling. Mr. Dyer had a most extensive fishing experience of most New Zealand rivers. After fishing locally iv. the beginning of the season with Mr. C. A. Whitney, of Auckland, he and Mr. Whitney used to go" to Taupo later for the opening of the season there, and February found Mr. Dyer on the Rakaia.for the quinnat salmon fishing, later returning to Taupo and Rotorua for the rainbow fishing there. He was an extraordinarily active fisherman for his years.

In his younger days he was a keen hunter, and with Sir Charles Skerrett and Mr. Andrew Wylie was a keen participant in the drag hunts of the old Wellington Hunt Club. He was also a keen and successful game shot, and a non-playing member of the Wellington Golf Club.

Mr. Dyer married Phoebe Alicia, second daughter of the late Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon. His widow and one daughter, Mrs. Alexander Mclntosh, of Bombay, India, survive him.

The funeral will leave the late Mr. Dyer's residence, 50 Tinakori Road, at 9.45 a.m. tomorrow for St. Pauls ProCathedral. The interment will take place at Karori.