OBITUARY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23442, 22 December 1950, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. DENNIS O’GRADY

The death has occurred of Mr. Dennis O'Gradv. a lifelong resident of the Gisborne district, at the age of 65. Born in the Matokitoki Valley. Mr. O’Grady was educated at the Gisborne Convent School.

At the are of 17 he began bush-felling work, and shortly afterwards had the misfortune to lose a leg in an accident. After suffering this handicap he took up contracting work, which he carried on for a number of yem's, finally taking up farming in the Makauri district. He was a successful and prominent comoetitor in Gisborne A. and P. Shows winning many cups and trophies in the fat lamb section. Mr. O’Orady made many friends and was highly respected in the district. He leaves six sisters and two brothers Mrs. A. Maloney, Makaraka: Mrs K. Jensen. Hexton: Mrs. W. A. Stephens, °akipaki: Mrs. E. O’Brien. Hastings; Mrs. H. Wilson. Tinirolo: Mrs. W Fisher Opot.iki: Mr. John O’Grady. Mohnka: and Mr. James O'Grady, Matokitoki Valley. MR. W. LEE MARTIN HAMILTON. Dec. 21—The death occurred today of Mr. W Lee Martin, aged 80 years, former Minister of Agriculture and member for Raglan. Mr Martin was born at Oamaru in 1870 and was educated at Waimate High School and at the Normal School in Christchurch. He developed a keen interest in religious movements and was for a time an officer of the Salvation Army. later becoming a local preacher in the Methodist community Mr. Martin ,ioined the Labour Partv in Wanganui in 1902. and for some years was a union secretary there During his residence in Wanganui he served on the technical education board and was prominent in friendlv society work He took up farming in the Waikato later and became president of the Waikato Farmers’ Union and a member of the Auckland provincial executive. His other activities included school committee work, road board membership, power board administration, repatriation committee work. WE.A. committee membership, and League of Nations Union co-operation. Making his first bid for political honours. Mr. Martin was defeated in 1925 for the Hamilton seat, but two years later he won at Raglan. He again suffered defeat in Raglan in 1931. but won the scat back in 1935. reentering Parliament on the crest of the Labour wave and receiving the port folio of Agriculture in the first Labour Cabinet. While still a member of the Cabinet he retired in 1941 owing to illhealth.

Miss J I. Martin supervising matron of the Cook Hosptal. is a daughter of the late Mr. Martin.