OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11913, 11 December 1900, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR A. H. ROSS.

News was received yesterday of the death on Sunday, at his son'.s residence. Pahiatua, of Mr A. H. Ross, for many years a wellknown figure in Dunedin. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age. was born at NV-eastle-on-Tyne, and lived for several yea' • i 'iunderland. in which borough, prior to 'nig for New Zealand in 1839. he was a town councillor and a guardian of the poor. On coming to Dunedin, Mr Ross accepted a position us chief draughtsman in the Survey Office. He then entered into business on his own account as optician., ami tins ho carried on until a few years ago. Mr Koss took up his residence in what is now known as Roslyn, and before, the municipality was formed was chairman of the AVakari Road Board and school committee. Ho became a member of the Roslyn Borough Council on its constitution, and in 1879 was elected mayor of the borough. He was also a city councillor, and in 1880 was elected mayor of Dunedin Be was an active member of the Benevolent Trustees, and also took a very keen interest in Harbour Board matters, being chairman for some five or six years. In 1887 he was elected to represent Koslyn in the House of Representatives deteatin? Messrs Curl ton and Hutchison; but in 1890 he was defeated by Ml W. Da-wson, the boundaries, of the district having been very considerably changed, and, though urged to do so he did not again seek to re-enter politics, as he found the hours observed to be too trying. Mr Ross was an enthusiastic astronomical observer, and took an active interest in the observations of the transit of Venus in 187+ and 1882. He was a member of the Otago Institute, and contributed several papers at its meetings. On retiring from business in Dunedin, the deceased gentleman took up his residence at Makeretu, Hawko's Bay. During the last twelve months, however, he resided with one of his eons at Pahiatua. He has been in very indifferent health for about six months, the ultimate cause of death being paralysis. Mr Ross leaves a widow and a grown-up family. The eldest daughter is married to Mr H. Skey, of Leith Valley, and the youngest son (Mr H. I. M. Ross) is in charge of the photographic department of the Otago "Witness.

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs: — A very old colonist, Mr G. S. Graham, died on Sunday morning at Hohiperc Hospital. The deceased was 65 years of age last May. He anno to this colony as far back as 1840. He was the eldest son of Mr George Graham, who at one time was M.H.R. for Newton, but is at present residing at Sussex, England, being 89 years of age to-day. The deatli of Mr G. S.'Grnhnm was not unexpected, as he has been in failing health for some years past, and was suffering from an internal malady. Mr Graham had been identified with the insurance business in this colony for close on half a century. Nearly 50 years ago he opened the first insurance office in Auckland, tho Imperial, which was on the present site of tho Imperial Hotel. The deceased was high up in the Masonic fraternity, being for many years District Grand Master of the English "Constitution. Failing health a. few years ago necessitated "his retirement from that honourable position, Bro. C. C. M'Millan being his successor. Mr Graham leaves a •widow, who is a daughter of the late Mrs Ann Taylor, and sister of the late Mrs Thomas Henderson.