DEATH OF A NOTED PRESBYTERIAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 223, 20 September 1945, Page 4

DEATH OF A NOTED PRESBYTERIAN

VERY REV. W. J. COMRIE. (P.A.) Auckland, Sept. 19. A veteran minister of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, who has occupied a prominent place in its history, the Very Rev. W. J. Comrie, died at his home in Mount. Eden. Born at Avondale, in 1860, Mr. Comrie was the son of the late Mr. James Comrie, and while he was an infant the family took up farming in the Pukekohe district. Mr. Comrie’s first charge was. Waiuku, to which he was inducted in May, 1889 and he later served in Central Otago, South Canterbury and Hastings. In the last mentioned centres he served on education boards. From Hastings, Mr. Comrie was appointed to take up the duties of general treasurer of the Church, with .control of all its central funds and he also became secretary of the Church Propertv Trustees. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Accountants of New Zealand. He held these two offices with the Church until his retirement in 19'28, when he camp, with Mrs. Comrie, 1o live at Mount Edon. Tn 1922 he was Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. One of Mr. Comrie’s keenest inter-

ests was temperance reform, and he was president of the New Zealand Alliance and member of its executive committee for many years. Mr. Comrie is survived by two sons

and three daughters. One son was killed in the first World War. Mrs. Comrie died some years ago.