PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3593, 5 August 1912, Page 5

PASSING OF A PIONEER.

SUDBi-.N DEATH OF MR t WHINRAY.

AN lAI PR If SSI VE FUNERAL

Early cn Saturday morning Mr James AYninrav, one c f Gisborne’s most highly respected citizens d-'ed suddenly afc ins (residence, dobcC S r ""- he ( h: l ( c “?oyed good health i,lln ~ ’ time of his death, ami nun- on 5 _< -dnesday last ho return oil Srom a rip to Wellington On Friday afternoon he complained of pain m-ros his shoulders, bat h e remain. a at his «-hop, and ho so-mtol to get bi tter. He went-to bed about 10 p.ni., ami about 5 o’clock on Saturday morni no- he informed Mrs' Whinray that he had a severe pain ac rc ss liis back and chest. She immediately went to attend him, but he expired in her arms a few minutes later. Medical ;; -'name was called, bat life was thci exi-mct, death having rejected from heart failure

Mr. _ Whinray was born in Lancashire in 1845, and when 14 years of age was apprenticed as a 'cabinetmaker, and after working for ten years in London.came to New Zealand in the ship Clarence, arriving in Napier in 1874. He later went to Australia for two years, and returned to New Zealand in the Union S.S. Co.’s Wakatipu, which was then on its maiden voyage. He went to Kumara and siient some eix months on the goldfields, and then visited New I’lynir.uih, Auckland, and Tauranga, and in 1-877 came to Gisborne and commenced business. In 1884 he went for a trip Hume, and on his return built the present warehouse, where he carried on business up to the time of his death.

The late Air. Whinray ever since he arrived in Gisborne has taken a great interest in its affairs, and has worked most enthusiastically in the. cause of progress. He was a e launch advocate of a railway to Motu. in order that the large timber areas in that district, which were being depleted and destroyed in the course of settlement, might be utilised, and so be an asset to the district. He was great’v impressed with tlie necessity of conserving the scenic beauties of this district, and when the Hon T. Mackenzie was here he was one who supported the proposal that the Government should acquire certain areas cf bush in the Mctu district as scenic re-t-erves. He gave to the district a lame natural reserve situated at Motu. and this is now known as Whinray’s Park. This will no doubt serve to"keep green the memory of one who has done so much to advance tlie district.

In local politics the late Mr. Whinrax- took a very active part, and occupied a seat on the Borough Council and Harbor Beard for many years. While in the Council he was greatly in favor of the acquisition of public reserves in the town and the beautifying of such reserves. He was also a member of the Chamber cf Commerce, and was president for some time. Whatever position in municipal affairs he occupied he was always solicitous of the interests of Gisborne, and never failed on any occasion to advance it! He was a man of the highest integrity, and was highly respected by all who knew him.

Hie late" Air. Whinray was a prominent Mason, and became a member of the Ledge Aleut roes when it was inaugurated. He was a Past Master of the Lodge and Past Substitute District Grand Maser of the District Grand Ledge, Scottish Constitution, of Auckland.

Much sympathy will be felt for Mrs Whinray and family, which consists of three sons and two daughters (Mrs. A. Martin, Miss Whinray, Messrs. W. J. and G. L. Whinray and Master Whinrav). The funeral, which took place at Makaraka cemetery vesterdav afternoon, was largely attended in fact it was one of the largest Masonic funerals ever held in Gish rue. Tlie Anglican service was conducted by the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas, and the Masonic service by the Rev. W. Grant. The r>aH-bearers were Messrs. W Pettie, J. A. McDonald, W. O. Sheet, JTownley, and Ellery. There were a large number of floral tributes, which also went to show the high esteem in which the late Mr Whinray was held.

The Mayor (Mr. W. Petrie), in conversation with a reporter last evening, soir! that it was with very deep regret that ho had heard the news of Mr. Whinrav’s death, more especially as onlv on Wednesday last he had seen him taking an active part in municipal matters. Mr. Yv hinray had been in public life for a .great many years and was a member of the Borough Council. Chamber of Commerce, and other bodies, and had worked very hard for the advancement. of the district. " hie was a man whom they could ill spare and who would greatly he missed.' He offered to Mrs. Whinrav and family his sincere sympathy in their sad bereavement.