Arthur John Gifford
OBITUARY. [1]
MR. A. J. GIFFORD. The death has occurred at Wellington of Mr. Arthur John Gifford, late of Hamilton and formerly of Westport. Mr. GilTord was born in London in 1860, and he arrived in New Zealand with his parents in 1877 by the ship Lady Ruthveil. He resumed his studies at the Auckland University College, obtaining his Master of Arts degree, with iirstc.lass honours in Latin and Greek. He took up teaching as a profession,, and in 1893 he became headmaster of the Bulls School. In 1904 lie was appointed to take charge of the secondary department of the Westport District High School, and lie remained there until his retirement from teaching oil account of ill-health in 191"). Having some years previously qualified as a barrister and solicitor, he took a position in 1910 with the firm of Marshall and Hutton at Wanganui, and in 1917 moved to Hamilton, where he practised for a time as a solicitor. He returned to Wanganui early in 1935. Mr. GilTord was one of the Dominion's leading chess players. A foundation member of the Auckland Chess Club, formed in ISB4, he took part in four championship congresses, and although he did not succeed in gaining the title he proved himself a formidable opponent, his wins in congress games from five New Zealand champions (Messrs. H. Hookham, W. E. Mason, R. J. Barnes, J. C. Grierson and J. Edwards) being meritorious performances. Mr. GifTord was a member of the Masonic craft. He was | W.M. of Lodge Rangitikci, Bulls, in 1900, and was later for several years secretary of Lodge Ivawatiri at Westport. From 1910 he belonged to Lodge St. Andrews, Kilwinning, Wanganui, and from 1921 to Lodge Bt ta-Waikato, Hamilton. Mr. Gifford is survived by his widow and by the two sons of his first marriage, Mr. E. J. Gifford, Department of Justice, Wellington, and Mr. G. A. Gifford, of Church Street, Onehunga.
OBITUARY [2]
MR A. J. GIFFORD. The death occurred at 'Wellington, last week, of Mr Arthur John Gifford, late of -Hamilton and formerly of Westport. Born in London on December 31, 1860, Mr Gifford received his early education at Somerset College, Bath. He arrived in New Zealand with his parents in August, 1877, by the ship Lady Ruthven. He continued his studies as a senior scholar at the Auckland University College, obtaining his M.A. degree with first-class honours in Latin and Greek in 1886. He taught for short periods at the Auckland Training College, Napier Boys’ High School, and the Avenue Public School, Wanganui. In 1893 he became headmaster of the Bulls School, in the llangitikei district, which position he held until his appointment to charge, of the secondary department of Westport District High School in 1902. He remained there until his retirement from teaching on account of ill-health in 1915.
Having some years previously qualified as a barrister and solicitor, he took a position in 1916 with the firm of Marshall and Hutton at Wanganui, and in 1917 moved to Hamilton, where he practised for a .time as a- solicitor. He returned to Wanganui early in 1935. His health steadily failed during the past three years. Mr Gifford was one of the Dominion’s leading chess players. A foundation member of the Auckland Chess Club, formed in 1884, he subsequently belonged to the clubs at Bulls, Westport and Hamilton. He took part in four championship congresses, and although he did not succeed in gaining the title he proved himself a formidable opponent, his wins in congress games from five Now Zealand champions (Messrs H. Hookham, W. E. Mason, R. J. Barnes, J. C. Grierson and J. Edwards) being meritorious performances. He also scored a win in 1924 from Mr Boris Kostich, a well known European chess master, in a game played at Hamilton in a simultaneous display by the distinguished visitor, who lost only nine games out of 482 played during a tour of the Dominion.
Mr Gifford was a member of the Masonic craft. He was W.M. of Lodge Rangitikei, Bulls, in 1900, and was later for several years secretary of Lodge Kawatiri, Westport. From 1916 lie belonged to Lodge St. Andrews Kilwinning, Wanganui, and from f 921 to Lodge Beta-Waikato, Hamilton. The funeral, which was private, took place at Karori, Rev. E. M. Cowie, of Khandallah, officiating. Mr A. Peterkin, formerly of Lodge Kawatiri, Westport, read tlje Masonic service. Messrs F. K. Kelling and A. W. Gyles represented the New Zealand Cliess Association.
Mr Gifford was twice married, his first wife predeceasing him some 23 years ago. He is survived by his widow and by the two sons of his first marriage, Mr E. J. Gifford, Department of Justice, Wellington, and Mr G. A. Gifford, of Church Street, Oneliunga.
NZ Chess Championships Results
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References:
[1] Auckland Star 29 September 1936
[2] Manawatu Standard 28 September 1936
[3] Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 3-ALB64-34