His father, Mr Adam Wright, was a schoolmaster, and, settling at Green Island on arrival in the dominion, was appointed schoolmaster in that township. He was a man of very high scholarly attainments, a typical Scotsman of the old school, eager in acquiring and imparting knowledge, and having command of many languages, including Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac. He was also learned in astronomy. Mr John Wright settled to farming in Brighton at the age of 17 years, and for 46 years followed that calling, combining with it in later years thrashing and chaffcutting for a wide district. About four years ago he retired from active business, and settled near the township. Somewhat over a year ago his health began to fail, and he died at the age of 67 years. For 35 years he was secretary to the School Board, and from the institution of the Domain Board he was one of its members. He was one of the main pillars in the local Presbyterian Church, for 30 years acting as secretary and treasurer, as well as being the ruling elder in the congregation. These offices he retained to the end. He is survived by a widow and two sons (Messrs John and Richard Wright), for whom much sympathy is expressed; but his loss is mourned by a wide district, for he was the most popular of men.
Race trains well patronised
For two years special trains have not been run to the Dunedin Jockey Club’s races, so that the comparison of the traffic returns yesterday has to be made with Boxing Day of 1916.
On that date there were 3827 passengers conveyed, and the fact that yesterday 3396 tickets were sold shows that had the weather been reasonably fine the numbers for two years ago would have been easily surpassed. The first trains went away lightly loaded, but as the day advanced the weather conditions gave promise of improving and the passengers trooped down. The regatta service was a comparative failure, only 448 tickets being sold. No regatta has been held since 1915, when
about 1000 passengers were conveyed by train.
Fake pennies discovered
Pennies silvered in imitation of half-crowns have been discovered in Auckland recently, and shopkeepers and others would be well advised to beware lest others are in circulation. One woman who received a number of coins as change after a purchase found later that two such pennies were included.
— ODT, 27.12.1919.
