OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 4

OBITUARY.

John P. Gray. The death has occurred of Mr John Pitkethly Gray, a former employee of the firm of J. Ballantyne and Company for several years, and a lifelong member of the Druids Lodge. The late Mr Gray was born in Arbroath, Scotland, sixty-four years ago and was educated there. On the completion of his schooling he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade and later occupied many important positions before coming to New Zealand in February, 1923, with his family. Ho joined the staff of J. Ballantyne and (Jo., Ltd., and remained there until failing health forced him to resign. He was a well-known figure in the trade in Christchurch and it was with deep regret that a large circle of friends learnt of his death last week. The funeral took place at the Bromley cemetery on Sunday, the service being conducted by the Rev J. Miller, the many floral tributes testifying to the esteem in which he was held. Mr Gray took little part in public affairs and apart from his associations with the Druids’ Lodge held no outside office, but his genial and unassuming nature gained him many friends. He leaves a widow, four sons, Messrs Alex Gray, E. H. Gray, James Gray and Arthur Gray, all residing in Christchurch, and three daughters, two of whom reside in Christchurch, Mrs W. Shepherd i and Miss L. Gray. One married daughter resides in Scotland. Colonel G. A. Blair. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 6. News has been received by Mr W. Blair, of Lower Ilutt, that his brother. Colonel G. A. Blair, formerly of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment, has died in Calcutta. Colonel Blair was known to many New Zealand men who served in France. Peter Heyes. United Press Assn.—By ElectricTelegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, November 6. The death has occurred of Mr Peter Heyes. formerly Commissioner of Taxes in New Zealand, in his seventy-ninth

Mr Heyes, F.S.A.A., F.N.Z.A.A., was born at St Helens, Lancashire, where he entered a law office and held some commercial positions. He became general manager of Boyd, Son and Co. at Dtfblin, 1875-S2. lie was accountant to T©hn Leclc, Auckland, 1882-3; to Parnell and Boylan, Gisborne. 1883-6: to Sargood, Son and Ewen. Auckland, 1886-8: supervisor of the estate of E. and A. Isaacs. Auckland, 188 S-9; accountant. local secretary and assistant general manager to the Kauri Timber Co.. Auckland. 1889-94. In 1894 he became commercial accountant in the Land and Income Tax Department, his appointment as Commissioner of T axes and Superintendent of Advances to Settlers taking place in 1905. Earl of Desart. LONDON, November 5. The death has occurred of the fifth Earl of Desart. in his eighty-sixth year. IJe was British Plenipotentiary at the Naval International Conference of London. 1908-9, and a member "of the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague. He has no heir.