John Cresswell Grierson
The·Australasian Chess Review, December 1929.
[1] Obituary - Press 9 February 1933
OBITUARY.
MR J. C. GRIERSON. The death of Mr John C. Grierson. occurred at his residence, Epsom, Auckland, on Sunday. Mr Griersou, who was 7U' years of age, . was specially well-known for his long connexion with the Auckland Co-operative 'terminating: Building Society and also as an exponent ol chess. Mr Grierson was farming in the Waikato until 1890, when be went to Auckland aiiu joined the firm of McArthur's, a wholesale soft goods business. When the Auckland Co-operative Terminating Building Society was formed in 1897 Mr Grierson jo:ned by taking up two shares, and he won the first ballot o< £4OO. When the 'first secretary, Mr Robert Hood, retired from the position in 1902. Mr Grierson was selected from 34 applicants, to fill the vacancy, Six groups were then in existence in the Society, but now there are 71. After 29 years' service, Mr Griarson retired from the position of secretary in 1931. In sport, both indoor and outdoor, he took a. wide interest; Re was three times chess champion of the Dominion and hiore than 12 times. champion of the Auckland Chess Club. of. which he was- president''at -tho time of- bis death.' Tn his younger days- he' was -i successful cricketer and played against one of the- early Australian teams, which inclvded the famous SpoH'orth and Murdoch. MR W. B. ROWAN. The death of Mr William Butler Jlowan, postmaster, of Petone, at the age of 47 years, occurred at Petone recently. Born at Mosgiel, Mr Rowan joined the Post and Telegraph Department at Ashburton as a messenger boy in 'IS99. He served at different times at Wangauui, Taihape. Hastings, Christchurch, and Auckland, and lor the last, ten years had been postmaster -it Otautau, where he was keenly interested in athletics,- cricket, football, and bowling, as well as being an active member of the Otautau Progressive League. Shortly after going to Petone on November 22, he joined the Petone Bowling Club. He .was a highly respected - member of the postal service, and enjoyed a great measure of popularity among the officers who served under him. He is survived by his widow and five daughters and two sons.
New Zealand Herald 6 February 1933
OBITUARY
MR. J, C. GRIERSON BUILDING SOCIETY OFFICIAL PROMINENT CHESS PLAYER if The death of Mr. John C. Grierson, occurred at his residence, Onslow Road, Epsom, yesterday, Mr. Grierson, who was 76 years of age, was specially well known for his long connection with the Auckland Co-operative Terminating Building Society and also as an exponent of chess. He was a son of Mr. John Grierson, of Wilmslow, Cheshire. He came to New Zealand in 1877 in the sailing ship Sam Mendel, and went farming at Rangiaohia, now known as Hairini. In 1883 lie married Miss French, a member of a well-known family of early settlers in the Waikato. Mr. Grierson continued farming in the Waikato until 1890, when he came to Auckland and joined the firm of McArthur's, a wholesale soft goods business. When the Auckland Co-operative Terminating Building Society was formed in 1897 Mr. Grierson joined by taking up two shares, and he won the first ballot of £4OO. When the first secretary, Mr. Robert Hood, retired from the position in 1902 Mr. Grierson was selected from 34 applicants to fill the vacancy. Six groups were then in existence in the society, but now there are 71. After 29 years' service Mr. Grierson retired from the position of secretary in 1931" In sport, both indoor and outdoor, he took a wide interest. He was three times chess champion of the Dominion and more than 12 times champion of the Auckland Chess Club, of which he was president at the time of his death. In his younger days he was a successful cricketer and played against oinj of the early Australian teams, which included the famous Spofforth and Murdoch. He also represented Waikato in Rugby matches against Auckland. All his life he took a keen interest in cricket, football and boxing. One son, Mr. W. A. Grierson, was killed in the Great War. The surviving members of the family are five sons and three daughters, Mr. H. C. Grierson, of Ilonikiwi, Waikato, Mr. C. K. Grierson, surveyor, of Auckland, Mr. J. Grierson, accountant, of Auckland, Mr. M. R. Grierson, solicitor, of Pukekohe, Mr. R. M. Grierson, of Auckland, Mrs. A. A. Gray, of Mount Eden, Mrs. F. Whittome, of Auckland, and Miss B. M. Grierson, of Auckland.
NZ Chess Championships Results
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References:
[1] NZCA Book of the 27th Congress, Auckland, 1913/14
[2] Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19030115-10-04