OBITUARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11169, 27 March 1922, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR W. M. HANNAY. INTERESTING AND USEFUL CAREER-. _ Though his death'was not unexpected, general regret was expressed at the passing away on Saturday morning of Mr William Mowatt Hannay, ex-Railway Commissioner and general manager of the late Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company. The death occurred at a private hospital, Mr Hannay being 73 years of age. The late Mr Hannay; who was well known as a man of sterling character, was born in Castle Douglas, near Glasgow, m* 1848, and after receiving his education, entered the service of one of the big Glasgow railway companies, where he gained an all-round railway experience. He came to New Zealand in -1875, and at once joined the railway service, being appointed as district manager of South Canterbury. He was not long in the service before his exceptional ability and extensive knowledge were recognised, and he was soon promoted to the office of assistant general manager at Wellington. Subsequently he became one of the Railway Commissioners, In 1894, when the Government decided to change the system of railway management, Mr Hannay's services were not continued, although Cabinet recognised his abilities as a railway manager. On the resignation of Mr *James Wallace as general manager of the Wellington-Mana-watu Railway Company, the directors ap- £ Dinted Mr Hannay to the position, which e continued to hold with conspicuous ability until the.line was bought by the Government and the company was wound up. Mr Hennay thereafter retired into private life, but continued to be associated with the local mercantile and business community, being a member of the Waipa Railway and Collieries* Lid., chairman of directors of Messrs Turnbull and Jones, (electricians, and a director of Messrs Manson and -Barr,' Palmerston North, the Commercial Union Insurance Company, the Victoria Laundry, the Metropolitan Building Society, and the Automatic Bakeries. He was for many rears an elder of the Kent terrace Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed a wide circle of friends and acquaintances by whom his fine personality was much admired. He underwent an operation about the middle of February, but gradu-* ally sank until he expired on Saturday morning. He leaves a widow and two eons and three daughters to mourn their loss. Ihe sons are Mr. A. Hannay (managing director of Manson and Ban*, Palmerston North), • and Mr K. B Hannay (of Dalgety and Co., Wellington). The daughters are Mrs F. C. Widdop (Wellington). Mrs Dr ForW (Palmerston North), and Mies J. Hannay (Wellington). J

MEMORIAL SERVICE. KENT TERRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. James Baird, associated with the senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy Elliott,. was held at the Kent terrace Presbyterian Church last night. The Rev Dr. Elliott preached the memorial sermon, taking as his Acts viii. 2: ‘And devout men carried Stephen to nis burial and made great lamentation over him.” Dr. Elliott paid a high tribute .to. the sterling character and unassuming disposition ot the latd Mr W. M. Hannay. The deceased had been associated with the management of the church committees practically since the inception of th'e congregation, and at the time of his death was the senior elder; while till recently he was the elder representing the congregation-on the Wellington Presbytery and the "General Assembly. Up to about twelve months ago. Mr Hannay was superintendent of the Sunday School, having held that position for many rears until compelled to relinquish it by /failing health.

Appropriate mußio was rendered by the choir, including Tennyson’s "Crossing the Bar,” and at the close of the service the organist (Mr W. H. Godier) played the "Dead March in Saul.”