MR A. H. ROSS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2439, 12 December 1900, Page 13

MR A. H. ROSS.

Xpws wos received or> Monday of the death on Sunday, at his son's residence. Paiiiatna. of Mr A. H. Ross, for many years a wellknown figure in Dunedin. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age. was born pfc New castle-on-Tyne, snid lived for sevcr.il years at Simderland, in m hich borough, prior to sailing for Now Zealand in 1859, he was a town councillor and a guardian of the poor. On coming to DiYiiedin, Mr Ross accepted a position as chief draughtsman in the Survey Office, He then entered into business oh his ovra account as optician, and this he carried on until a few years ago. Mr Ross took up his residence in what is now known as Roslyn, and before tho municipality was formed was chairman of the Wakari 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 boimigh. He was also a city councillor, and in 1880 was elected mayor of Dunedin.. Ha Avas 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 1837 he was elected to represent Roslyn in tho House of Hepresentative^, defeating He,ssi\3 Carlton and Hutchison; but in 1890 he was defeated by Mr W. Dawson, the boundaries of the district having been very considerably changed, and, though xirged tir c!o so, lie did not again seek to re-enter politics, as Jie found the tours observed to ha too trying. Mr Boss was an enthusiastic astronomical observer, and took an active interest m tho observations of the transit of Venus in 1874 ancl 1882. He was a member of the Otdgo Institute, and contributed fevcral papers at its meetings. On retiring 1 from business in Dunedm, the deceased gen< tlaman took up his residence at Makeretu » liawko's Bey. During the last twelv. 1 . months, however, he resided with one of hii son? at Pahiatua. He has been in very in. different health for about six months," this ultimate cause of death being paralysis. M; Ross leaves a widow- and a grown-up family.. The eldest daughters married to Mr H. Sfcey. of Leith Valley, and the youngest son {Mr H. I. M. Ross)- is •in charge of tl>< photographic department of the Otago Witness.

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs: — A very old colonist, Mr G. S. Graham, died on Sunday morning at Hohipere Hospital. Ine deceased -was 65 years of age last May. He came to this colony as far back as 1840. Ho 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 10-day. The death oj Jlr GJ. S Graham not unexpected, as he has been in failing health for some years past ' and was suffeiiug 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, the Imperial, which was on the present site of the Imperial Hotel. The deceased was lush up in the Alasonie fraternity, being for many years District Grand Master of the English Constitution. Failing health a few years aso necessitated his retirement from that honourable position, Bro. C. C. M'Millan beiua; his fsuccer-sor. Mr Graham leaves a widow, who is a daughter of the late Mrs Ann Taylor, and sister of the late Mrs Thoma3 Henderson.