OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 3

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF MR. R. REAY.

ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES.

WELL-KNOWN CANTERBURY • TRAINER. - : (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. ' Mr. Robert Reay, well known in raving and trotting circles, died on Sunday at Oamaru after'an operation. Deceased was tlie son of a prominent old-time Canterbury owner and trainer Mr. K. Reay, one of the successful trainers of early racing days. Here young Bob, as he was known, rode for a' number of years, and later raced some horses of Jiis own, Starshot being probably the best of them. Then he turned his attention to the trotting sport. Rita and Pony Parnell were two he did well with, and subsequently he had charge of Tommy Ci and Don Caesar, two high-class pacers. Owing to ill-health he had not been actively associated with the sport for several years.

Another of the fast-diminishing band of true pioneers, and an old Cambridge identity, passed away on Friday evening at the Knox Home, Panmure, in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth. Nicholson, wife of Mr. Peter Nicholson, of Cambridge, aged 85 years. The late Mrs. Nicholson, with her husband and two young children came out to New Zealand in 1874 in the sailing ship India. The passengers experienced during the. voyage a mutiny among the crew owing to short rations. The skipper, Captain McPhail, was assaulted by members of the crew and had his leg broken. As a result of the disturbance seven of the crew were placed in gaol aboard ship, sonju of the passengers taking their share of the duties of the ship. On landing, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, after a short period in Auckland, went to a sheep station at Tβ Akau, Raglan, where they remained for about twelve months. Mr. Nicholson then bought a farm at Te Mala, Raglan, which has remained in the possession of the family ever since. Besides her husband, the late ■ Mrs. Nicholson is survived by five sons and one daughter, also 31 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

MR. J. A. A. BEATTIE,

The death took place on the afternoon of September 29 of the caretaker of the Magistrate's Court building, Mr. Joseph Andrew Aicheson Beattie, at the age of 51 years. Mr. Beattie is survived by his wife and five children. The eldest child is only nine years of age. About a fortnight ago Mr. Beattie was attacked by pneumonia, and was sent to the hospital. On September 27 he was taken home. Dealh took place two days later.. Mr. Beattie had been caretaker of the Court buildings since 19'21. He was a- member of the municipal choir. . ...

MR. E. f>. McCOY,

A former resident of Auckland, Mr. E. D. McCoy, has- died at Dunedin. Mr. McCoy served during the Great War with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was invalided back to the Dominion. He then went to live at Dnnedin, where he was representative of a firm of woollen manufactuers. He >s survived by Mrs. McCoy and a family. Prior to the war Mr. McCoy was a prominent cricketer in Auckland, being a member of the Auckland and later of the Ponsonby Club, and a good bowler. Mr. McCoy was also recognised as a good amateur player at billiards.

MR. THOMAS FALVEY.

In the obituary notice of the death of Mr. Thomas Falvey, on Saturday, tho name was incorrectly published as Salvey. Mr. Falvey was well known on the West Coast and was the father of an adult family, the members of which are in the Wellington district.

CAPTAIN P. F. C. ROSS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, this day. Captain Percy Franc Clunis Ross died in the Grey ? Hospital on Saturday, aged 54. Born in London, he had for 28 years been in the service of the Union Steam Ship Company. He held several commands, including the Horata, Haupiri. Squall, and Talune. He was transferred from Auckland to Dunedin, then to Westport. and finally to Greymouth. Where, for 12 years, he was wharfinger to the Union Company. • : :

MR. F. BARROWMAK , .

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, this day. Mr. Fergus Barrowman, clerk of the Greymouth Harbour Board, and secretary of. the Greymouth Fire Board, died yesterday, aged 52 years. He was a native of Reefton. •

MR. W. BLACEETT.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this daj. Mr. William Blackett, who was the first Mayor of Rangiora. and a prominent North Canterburv pioneer, is dead, aged 80.