OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17144, 25 April 1919, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR, WIUIAM J, SPEIGHT, LOKG PUBLIC CAREER. The death occurred yesterday afternoon of Mr. William James Speight, diocesan secretary, and a former member of Parliament, in hie 76th year. Mr. Speight became- ill last Saturday, and declined very rapidly. An operation was to havo been performed yesterday afternoon, but his condition precluded it, and death ensued from heart failure.

Mr. Speight was the son of the late Mr. Rciiard Speight, engineer, Dublin, and was educated at the Blue Coat School of his native town. After serving an apprenticeship with his father's firm as a mechanical engineer, he left for New Zealand in the n»»o Maori in 1865. He \ was atr ct d o Thames two years later; bv the d.EUuvery ui gold, ana sue up M business in his own line, engaging also in other pursuits incidental to life on. the goldfiolds. Subsequently he conducted the Thames Advertiser for some years, During the eighteen years spent by Mr. Speight at Thames he took a very active part in local politics and the social advancement of the district. Ho was a member of the Borough Council from its inception until ho left the district, and served on the Thames School Committee for nearly the whole time of his residence there. A member J. the | Order of Good Templars, Mr. Speight was for eeverai successive terms chief templar for New Zealand. In 1879 ho contested the Auckland East seat in the interests of the Grey tiarty against Air, J, McCcsh Clark, arid was successful py eight votes. During his term in Parliament, he assisted Sir William Fox in moulding Sir John Hall's Licensing jW ,in such a way as to provide for elective instead of nominated committees. This was the last Parliament elected for the rive yeare' term, but the passage of the Triennial Parliament 811, which was supported by Mr. Speight, made it really the first Triennial Parliament. At the 1881 election, he contested tho Thames- seat but wa defeated by the Hon. John Sheehan by 17 votes. Three years later, he lost the same seat to Colonel Fraser. Mr. Speight held the position of manager of the Government Life Insurance Office at Auckland until 1911, when he resigned in order to contest in the Liberal interest the Eden seat against the late Mr. John Bollard. lie was defeated after a close contest. In February, 1913, on the retirement of the late Mr. W. S. Cochrane, he was appointed diocesan secretary, which position he held until his death. He was tor many years previously a member of the General and Diocesan Synods. He wae the founder of tho Diocesan Clergy Pension Fund, and was a member of the Diocesan Pension Board. Mr. Speight was also a member of the Auckland Grammar School Board. He was one of tho founders of tho Pacific Club, and held the position of president from its inception until a few years ago. Mr. Speight was married in 1872 to his cousin, a daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Speight, of Parnell, who died four years ago. He is survived oy three daughters, Mrs. 0. R. Buchanan, Miss Carrie Speight, and Mrs. W. E. Jerram, all of Auckland, and by five sons, Messrs, R. G. Speight, of Ta'Papapa; C. G. Speight, manager of the National Bank at Hamilton; Sergt. C. E. Speight, at present with the forces, and Second-Lieut. H. B. Speight, of the legal firm of Bell and Speight, and Sergt. R. J. Speight, who have both recently returned. One son, Mr. W. A. Speight, manager of the Colonial Sugar Company's experimental farm at Ba, Fiji, died during tho epidemic last December.

The interment will take place iX tin Purewa Cemetery to-morrow afternoon. A short service will first bo held at the late Mr. Speight's residence. MR. ARTHUR J. CLOSE. Mr. Arthur J. Close, of the Kemuera Estate, Ohaeawai, Bav of Islands, died in a private hospital at TRotorua on" Wednesday, aged 39. Mr. Close was well-known through the province as a breeder ot stud sheep and cattle, and as a keen huntsman, polo player and footballer. Only last week he wag present at his father's funeral at Feilding, and on his way home went to Rotorua, where he immed:at«ly entered a private hospital, his death following exactly a week after that of his father. Mr. Close', who was an old boy of Wang* nui College, took up fanning pursuits in i the Bay of Islands, and at time of his death was part proprietor and manager of Remuera Estate, which is being taken over by the Government for returned soldiers. Mr. Close is survived by a widow and four young children. The burial will take place at. Pakaraka Cemetery, Bay of Islands, on Saturday. MR. GEORGE G. RUSSELL. [BY TELEGRAPH.— press ASSOCIATION.] \ DUKEDIN, Thursday, j The death is announced at Bourne- i mouth, England, of Mr. George- Gray Russell, aged 90 years, formerly of the firm of Russe'l. Ritchie, and Company, of Dunedin, which business was taken over in 1878 by the National Mortgage and Agency Company. He took a keen interest in educational affairs. MR. L. E. BROWN, OF SUVA. [from our. own correspondent.] SUVA, April la Fiji lost one of her chief citizens on Tuesday, when Leslie E. Brown, resident partner of Messrs. Brown and Joske, died suddenly of heart trouble. Mr. Brown was a very old resident, and held large in. ■ terests in plantations and properties. Ho was chairman of the Fiji Club and ident'fied with every public institution, having been at one time a member of the Legislative Council. During his residence he introduced stud cattle, blood horses, Hoistein cattle and sheep in an endeavour to forward the prosperity of the group Hi* i funeral was the largest held hero.