MR.A. S. BISS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 63, 7 December 1917, Page 4

MR.A. S. BISS

DIES SUDDENLY OF HEART FAILURE. A great number of people in Wellington received a severe shock yesterday afternoon when it became known that Mr. A. S. Biss, one of the leading accountants of New and well known throughout the Dominion, had died suddenly. He was in the Wellesloy Club during lunch hour, when, without any warning, he was taken ill: Major (Dr.) Kington Fyffe at once saw that Mr. Biss's_ condition was very serious, and immediately superintended his romoval to the Bowen Street Hospital, but there he gradually sank, and passed away at about 2.15 p.m. On account of the diversity of his activities, his professional eminenoe, and a certain bonhomie in disposition, the late Mr. Biss was one- of the best known and uniformly popular of Wellington's citizens. He was 56 years of age, was born in Nelson, and camo to Wellington as a boy. After leaving college ho entered the service of W. and G. Tnrnbull and Co., and whilst there acted as secretary of the Endeavour Inlet Antimony Mining Company. Graduating in accountancy, ho some yenrs later entered into partnership with the late Mr. R. T. Badham, who died about a year ago. The firm prospered, and became one of tlio first businesses of, its kind_ in the country, with business connections throughout the Dominion.

Mr. Biss was a keen and active man in many ways. He was a member of the City Council from 1905 to 1909, whore his knowledge of finance . was very valuable. He was also approached to stand for the Mayoralty, and on one. occasion contested it unsuccessfully. He was an enthusiastic member of the Star Boating Club for the creator part of his residence in Wellington, and rose to the position of captain of the club. As a young man Ijb was & capital footballer, and later in life, heenme a keen golf player. , H» served in the Wellington Naval Artillery for many years, rising to ba tho commanding officer of the company in the old volunteer days. Among his mnny professional duties he was receiver on behalf of the first debentnY?lioldnrs of thn Paparoa Coal Mining Company. The latff Mi\ Biss, who resided at 14 lTobson Street, leaves a widow (who was a. daughter of the late Mr. J. J!. George, formerly manager of thn Wellington Gas Co., and a niece of th" lntfl Dr. Albert Martin). He loaves n family of six—foiir sons and two daughters. I'wo of {lie sons are away on notivo service, rmd the others are in AVellinprton. Messrs. C. H. Biss, of llin Valuation Department, nnd F. L. Biss, manager at Hobart for the Union Steam Ship Comnany, a'ro brothers of thp deceased. It is understood that tlio cause of dcnt.li wns heart failure. The Funeral will take place today.

Mr. Biss was chairman of the Returned Soldiers' Clubhouse Society, tho body composed partly of returned soldiers and partly of outside subscribers, which has charge* of the financing of the Returned Club. Mr. Biss was a constant visitor to the club, and was very much bolovcd by the men and by the officers of tho institution. All tho committees of returned soldiers' organisations are to bo represented at tho funeral.