OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XII, 17 September 1898, Page 371

OBITUARY.

The announcement of the death of Lady Grey, wife of Sir George Grey, reached New Zealand last Wednesday, and occasioned widespread regret, principally—as Lady Grey was little known in the colony —on account of Sir George Grey, who loses in her the close and kind companion of his last years. Lady Grey, who was a Miss Harriet Spencer, daughter of Sir R. W.

Spencer, Knight of the Crown of Hanover. married at the age of 17 Sir Geo. Grey in 1839, during his Governorship of South Australia. The only’ child who was born to them died in his infancy, and was buried in Adelaide. Lady Grey accompanied her husband when he came to New Zealand to take Governor Fitzroy’s place, and she was at that time a lovely’ woman, with a bright, lively disposition. Later on, a lamentable estrangement occurred between Sir George and his wife,which lasted many’ years, until it was happily’ brought to an end when Sir George returned to England, four years or so ago. Up to the time of her death. Lady Grey’ has devoted herself to the care of her husband and to w’orks of benevolence and religion. As he was ten years older than his wife, it was naturally expected that Sir George would have had her by his side to comfort and cheer him up to the hour of his death; but it has been otherwise ordained, and he has seen her called away while he is left alone to live out the remnant of his days.

The death is announced on the Sth inst. of Mr James Bruce, of Scarboro’ Terrace, Parnell, Auckland. The deceased, who had reached the very good old age of 80, and who was one of the oldest residents in Parnell, leaves a widow and grown-up family.

The numerous friends of Mr C. R. lilakiston, of Christchurch,were greatly shocked and grieved to read of his death, which took place on Wednesday, just a week after he had been at the wedding of his daughter, where he got a chill resulting in congestion of the lungs and pleurisy. The greatest sympathy is felt, for his widow and family, of four sons and two daughters. in their sudden bereavement. Mr Blakiston's name in Christchurch is intimately known, especially in church matters; but of late years as his age increased he has l>een gradually retiring, but his many acts of kindness will not readily Im* forgotten.

Great regret was felt in Napier at.

the death from consumption of Miss Kathie Blythe, second daug-hter of Mr Blythe, of Shakspere Road, and much sympathy is felt for the latter in his trouble. The funeral took place on Saturday, September 3, and according to the wish of the deceac<ed, the coffin was covered with a pale blue pall. A number of beautiful wreaths were sent by sorrowing friends.

The announcement of the death of Mr John Jago, eldest son of Mr S. J. J a go. the postmaster at Napier, was received with sorrow by his many friends. The (Pea.tih took placjei on September 5, and was the result of an illness caused by over- training for

athletics. The decr«ased was well known and will be much missed. We regret to announce the death of Mr James Matheson, a greatly respected settler of the Wairoa South, who passed away on the 3rd of this month at the age of 70. leaving a wicHow and one l son and one daughter.

The Choral Hall. Christchurch, presented a charming appearance on Thursday evening, when the Liedertafel gave its first publie concert, the object being first of course to augment the funds for purchase of new music, etc., and secondly to gain new subscribers; but judging from the audience, very few other than the regular

concert-goers were interested enough to attend. The decorations, carried out by Mr A. J. White, were most tastefully done, and the presence of a lady on the platform added quite a fresh charm. Miss Jennie West, in a pretty white silk and lovely spray of |>ink hyacints on the bodice, played a duet with Mr F. M. Wallace (piano and violin) charmingly, and later took part in a trio. ‘The Gipsy Rondo.’ with Messrs Wallace and Loughnan (’cello), and all acquitted themselves in such a manner as to evoke a rapturous encore of the last movement. The vocal soloists—Messrs March. Hockley, Barkas, Izard, H. M. Reeves, and Millar were in excellent voice, a repetition being demanded each time. The part songs were almost faultlessly rendered, and though heard many times before were none the less enjoyable. Among the numerous audience were Mrs ami Miss Denniston, Miss Macgregor and Miss Bathgate, Mr and Mrs Henry Wood and party, Mr and Mrs Bishop and party, Mrs F. M. Wallace, Mrs and Miss Wilding, Mr and Mrs Embling and the Misses Julius (4), Mesdames Trent, Barkas, W. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Gilbert Anderson and Mrs Adair, Mr anil Mrs G. Kettlewell, Dr. and Mrs Jennings, Madame Winter, Mr and Mrs Howie, Mrs J. Anderson, Misses Anderson. Lewin, and Pratt, Mr and Mrs C. H. Croxton, Mr and Mrs Weetman, Mrs and Miss Thomas, Mrs (Col.) Gordon. Mr and Mrs W. Lake, Mrs C. Morris, Mrs Appleby, etc. Miss West was the recipient- of a silver lyre, the badge of the Society. Mr Ernest Terah Hooley has contributed a signed article in one of the New York papers on ’How to make money’, how to save money, how to spend money.’ ‘Tie proper way to keep a fortune,’ says Mr Hooley, ‘is to invest it safely, then let it" alone, spending only the income, and taking care to keep well within that.’ This savours of platitude, and marks the gulf between practice and precept, while the remaining precepts are. if anything, a trifle more trite. It is interesting. however, to have Mr Dooley’s word for it that he. ‘could have retired a few months ago on £70,000 a year.’