OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR McG. B. WRIGHT

The death has occurred in Christchurch of Mr McGregor Bonar Wright, aged 78, who was Mayor of Woolston for three terms and who served on numerous public bodies in Christchurch. Mr Wright was born in Aberdeen and received his education there, later becoming apprenticed as a carver and gilder. He came to New Zealand in his early twenties. After the amalgamation of Woolston with the city in 1921, Mr Wright, who had already been Mayor and councillor at Woolston for several years, was a member of the Christchurch City Council until 1923. He was a member of the Technical College Board for 28 years and was chairman for 10 years to 1934. Mr Wright was responsible for the college obtaining its collection of more than 100 paintings by New Zealand artists. He was a member of the New Zealand Technical Schools’ Board, established as an advisory board to assist the Minister of Education. For many years Mr Wright was a member of the council of the Canterbury Society of Arts, and at the time of his death was a vice-president. As a business man and a connoisseur of art he was well known in Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch, and many celebrated pictures passed through his hands. His private collection of pictures was considerable, and included many notable works. He is, survived by his wife.