OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 18051, 19 August 1922, Page 4

OBITUARY

On Thursday morning an old and highly respected) early settler m the person of Mr William Gray passed quietly away at ms residence, Castle street. Mr Gray, uho was born in the Orkney Islands in 1836, ■was a tailor by occupation, and arrived m New 1 Zealand early in 1863. He was a man of quiet disposition who, by bis excellent Christian character and sterling qualities, won tho good-will of all who came in contact with him. He was one of the founders of the Leith Street Congregational Church, and for over fifty years \vas a faithful officer of tho Leith Street and King Street Churchee._ Ho served with such loyalty and devotion as to win tho esteem and affection of all his fellow-members. One matter that pressed heavily upon him was the disappearance of his eldest son, William., who went to Nelson thirty-seven years ago, and, after sending a few letters, -was never heard of again. A boat going froirq Nelson to Wellington at the time was lost In the Strait with all on board; whether he was among the lost or not could never be found out. Even until quite recent years Mr Gray had a lingering hope that his long-lost hoy might still return. Mr Gray leaves a wife and daughter and two sons to mourn his loss. His remains were this afternoon laid to rest in the Northern Cemetery.