OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 25

OBITUARY.

News has been received of the death at Sydney of Mr John P. O’Neill, the veteran Irish comedian, who was a firm favourite with Australian and New Zealand playgoers of an earlier generation. He was associated with many of the wellknown producers of the time, and his last appearance in Dunedin was with Tom Haverly’s revues at the Princess Theatre about 12 years ago. Word has been received that Mr Ronald Steele was killed in a gliding accident at Windsor, Ontario (states a Tauranga correspondent). He was the only son of Mr and Mrs Samuel Steele, of Omokoroa, Tauranga. Mr Steele had been living in Canada for some time and was interested in flying. It is stated that two other persons were killed in the same accident.

Mr Richard Norman writes:—“l noticed recently the death in Dunedin of Mrs Margaret Elizabeth M'Kay (nee Blacksvood). The late Mrs M'Kay, who was a native of Stewart Island, and born in 1866, was one of the early pioneers, and experienced the many early time trials of children who were reared in very sparsely settled districts. When quite youthful she went to Arrowtown, and a few years afterwards married Mr Andrew A; M'Kay. They went to Wanaka about the end of 1885, and were employed as married couple on stations in the locality. There was a large family, and the eldest married Mr James Frewen, now of Roxburgh. About 20 years ago Mrs M'Kay and the youngest daughter came to Dunedin, where they remained.”

MR C. E. FABIAN. The sudden death of Mr Charles Edmund Fabian at the age of 75 at his residence Tinakori road, Wellington, on September 19 (says the Dominion) removed the last of a very old family of pioneers. The father of the deceased, Alexander Fabian, came to this country from the Island of Jersey in 1864, bringing with him his wife and a family of four boys and one girl. The late Mr C. E. Fabian, who was the youngest of the family, led a varied and interesting life during the 66 years that he spent in the Dominion. As a youth he was attached to the Bank of New Zealand at Bien heim, later leaving this for a position in the post office at Havelock, subsequently receiving an appointment as postmaster at Gore. Farming, however, was Mr Fabian’s chief interest, and he left Blenheim for Greytown to engage in his favourite occupation in conjunction with his two brothers, Alexander and John Fabian. The late Mr Fabian entered into business in Wellington as a stockbroker and land agent; from this to farming again, in the Waikato, and finally to a position in the Justice Department, from which he retired two years ago. Mr Fabian leaves a widow and six children—Mr Alexander J. Fabian, Mel-, bourne; Mr J. C. K. Fabian, Mrs J. A. Roseingrave, Mrs Alexander Heron, Miss Nancy Fabian (Wellington), and Mrs Pat Mallon (New York).

MRS MARY SMITH. Mrs Mary A. Smith, whose death took place at Port Chalmers on Tuesday, was born in Victoria 75 years ago. At the age of 10 years she came to Port Chalmers with her parents, the late Mr and Mrs Richard Faulkner. She was married at the age of 20 to Mr James Smith, seaman, of Wales. They resided at Port Chalmers, where their family was born, and they were esteemed as good citizens. Mr Smith died a few years ago. Mrs Smith had been ailing for the past- two years. She is survived by four sons and three daughters—Messrs James, Fredrick, Joseph and Leslie Smith, and Mrs C. M'Donald (Port Chalmers), Mrs A. In verarity (Wellington), and Mrs H. Porter (Ashburton). Their brother Albert was killed on active service in the Great War. The youngest son, Leslie, is a member of the Port Chalmers Borough Council.

GENERAL SIR BRYAN MAHON. LONDON, September 24. The death is announced of General Sir Bryan Mahon.

General Sir Bryan Thomas 'Mahon was born in 1862. He was knighted in 1922. He joined the army in 1883, and was in command of the Salonika Army from 1915 to 1916, and commander-in-chief in Ireland from 1916 to 1918. He served •in the Egyptian campaign, the South African War, and the Great War. He was a Senator of the Irish Free State since 1922.

The late General Sir Bryan Mahon’s distinguished career in the army extended over 46 years. His most famous exploit as the relief of Mafeking in the South African War in 1900. He led a fying column from Kimberley, and while General Hunter engaged the Boers elsewhere he cut through the enemy lines and marched into the besieged town. During the Great War Sir Bryan had command of the Salonika Army, and vas later commander-in-chief in Ireland.

DR ARTHUR S. WAY. LONDON, September 25. The death is announced of Dr Arthur S. Way.

Dr Arthur S. Way was born at Dorking in 1847. From 1882 to 1892 he was head master of Wesley College, Melbourne. He was acting head master at Mill Hill School in 1913. He was the author of many classical publications.

SIR JOHN NORTON-GRIFFITHS. LONDON, September 27. The death is announced, at Cairo, of Lieutenant-colonel Sir John NortonGriffiths, public works contractor, aged 59.

. Though most famous for blowing up the Messines bridge and for destroying the Rumanian oil wells, Sir John NortonGriffiths lived a most adventurous life. He sailed for Australia in a windjammer when 17, and ran away from the ship and remained some time in Australia. He earned the name of “Empire Jack” for the work he did during the war. The London manager of the firm received a cablegram this morning from the deceased reporting the state of certain negotiations, but he received no hint that there was anything untoward. CAIRO, September 27. Sir John Norton-Griffiths was seen to go out in a small boat from Ramleigh in the morning. He paddled for some distance, when observers ashore noticed the boat drifting, apparently unoccupied. Swimmers hastened to the spot, and a police launch examined the boat. They found Sir John Norton-Griffiths lying in the bottom dead, shot in the right temple. The deceased came to Egypt to clear up a dispute between the Egyptian Government and his firm regarding the Assouan dam heightening contract, British engineers alleging it was impossible to carry on in face of constant pin-pricks and obstruction arising from the incompetence of inexperienced * Egyptian inspectors. The work was suspended last week. Sir Norton-Griffiths stated that no other course was open for the protection of the firm’s reputation. The Egyptian Government alleged that work was not proceeding at a proper speed. It was known that Sir John Norton-Griffiths was very worried.

A cablegram received last week stated that the Sir Norton Griffiths Company had ordered a stoppage of work on the second heightening of the Assouan dam owing to the tyrannical control exercised by the engineering staff representing the Egyptian Government. Their authority was exercised in such a manner that proper performance of the contract was impossible. The incompetent interference amounted to tyranny, and the work was being made unjustifiably costly. Four hundred thousand of British money had already been spent, but the contractors believed that the stoppage and the request for an inquiry were the only means of saving the firm’s reputation and money.

MR A. A. HOWES. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 28.

The death of Mr A. A. Howes, principal of the firm of Messrs A. A. Howes and Co., Christchurch, occurred suddenly at New Plymouth last night. He arrived on Friday night on a business visit. His home was in Dunedin.