DEATH OF MR. CHAS GRAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14550, 11 March 1918, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. CHAS GRAY.

Deep regret will be occasioned by the announcement, of the death of Mr. Charles Gray, of Waiohika, a resident of this district for the past 41 years, and a gentleman who was highly esteemed throughout the whole community. The latio Mr. Gray, who had attained the ag« of 77 years, had been in failing health for some years past, but his demise, which took place at Dunedin on Saturday, came as e. painful shock to hislnany friends. Born in Godmanchester, near Huntingdon, Enjgland, in 1640, ho was educated at Brighton College. Jn his early years ,he displayed a roving disposition, spending eleven years at sea, in the course of which he had many, exciting experiences whilst engaged in BlocJcaderimning during the American civu'war. He traded to various parts of the world, including East Africa, bufc he was of . a retiring r dJßposition, and spoke little of his own personal career. Before retiring from the sea, which he did in 1870, he rose to the rank of captain. Engaging with • a brother in the pastoral industry in Queensland, the late Mr. Gray spent ■» number of years there, and eventually crossed over to New Zealand^anct settled down in Poverty Bay as a pastoralist." He acguired the well-known Waiohika property on the Ormond-Whataupoko road. At that time the greater part <of the Mak&uri flat was still in standing bush, Waiohika was reached via Makauri thi^ Ugh J8? e - virgin busll - By careful f ft tf^^. Waionik » "was eventually trans* tk'tAG® W 1 * 0 tne valuable property which il' is' Ik>wia> '• . Standing on a corner . of Ae .pVopWly* J s tne magnificent bush reJvve, knwvn for man y years as Gray's msh, which" xo loPg as it remains will Jerpetu'atethe- mrff.of the late Mr. Uharles Gray, If> was Ike desire of thirf [deceased gentleman that this 1 valuable reserve; should, if possible, be p>£served for; all tim# and on more" thair one ©ccasiflra he had expressed the hone that he woulcf some day be" in the position that he could make it a free gift to the public. My. Sray strenuously declined to entertain afly proposal for the destruction of tna nfagittificent bush, and recently refused "to 0 cotfsieter a commercial proposition entail--ing'-the milling of the timber. Various, negotiations have been made respecting, its acquisition by the , Government as' a' national: pjark, and in this , connexion the late owner made what was regarded as a very generous offer. During Ins , long residence in the district Mr. Q ra T displayed keen interest in public affairs. a"tid for many years was a member and chairitian of the Cook County Council. Aij, chairman of the -Hospital Board lie waft,; ; associated with, the purchase of the new hospital site and the erection of the filiis institution that now stands; on Hospital hill. He was also president of the Agricultural and Pastoral society for several years, displaying a keen interest in the welfare of the society. Mr. Gray was president of the Poverty Bay. Club for a number of years. He was an active* churchman, being a representative on tne» Diocesan Board, cfca'rcfcwarden at tno Waerenga-a-hika, parish, and for many years . was. . actively associated with the management of the annual^ Turanga church fete. Mr. Gray sustained the lops of his first, wife in.. lssv*WJjL after their arrival in the district. v w subsequently married a daughteif of the late Bishop W. J/. Williams, of Waiapn. The deepest sympathy will be extended to Mrs Gray and family, (comprising three daughters and five sons). lh» daughters include Mrs. Blunt (India),. Mrs! Ormerod (Ruakituri), and Miss Gray. The eldest son, Mr. I* Gray, is on the Lake Coleridge hydrp-electrtp staff, whilst the second son, Mr. J>. . Oamplin Gray, is managing tho property at WaioUika, with a younger brother. Tho third son, Sydney, holds a voramission with the Indian A«ny. and %ha . youngest, Douglas, is a flight-lieutenant < with tho Royal' Flying Corps. _ ■.. : ... : . The interment took place" at Dunediu to-day. ■ ■ >- : -- r- .." ■■:":' .