OBITUARY.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1128, 13 August 1921, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR RALPH GRACIE.

An old identity of Te Awamutu passed away on Tuesday last in the person of Mr Ralph Gracie, at the age of 98 years. The death occurred at Edendale, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs Haig, in Grove Road.

Mr Gracie was associated with some . interesting phases of the early life ‘ of Te Awamutu, and was well known by the old residents. He was born in Edinburgh in 1823, and emigrated to Tasmania when still a boy.' l At the age of 26 he came across to JSfew Zealand, and for some years engaged; in shipbuilding, which was his train-* ed occupation. During two years' residence at Te Awamutu, as it existed then, he helped, with Maori workers; to build St. John’s Anglican Church* Afterwards he moved to Waiuku, and farmed a ten acre holding known as ilnglewood Forest Farm, adjoining Colonel Haultain’s property. He built Waiuku’s first cheese factory and public hall, and two churches. He served throughout the Maori war, both in charge of Government stores and as a guide to the British troops, but at the close of hostilities continued to make his home at Waiuku till about eleven months ago, when increasing years caused him to move to Auckland to reside with his relatives. He had been a widower for 20 years. 1 ■Mr (iracie married the youngest daughter of Mr Murdoch McKinlay, of Edinburgh. Of a' family of nine, five sons and four daughters, seven are still living. His grandchildren number 98, while there are over 30 great grandchildren. Deceased had retained his faculties right to the last and was able t<J read without the aid of glasses. The funeral took place at Waiuku on Thursday.