GRIGG, JOHN (1838-1920) was born in the Isle of Thanet, Kent, and received a classical and scientific education. He was very fond of music and sang in the Handel festival at Crystal Palace in 1887. In 1863 he came to Auckland in the Annie Wilson, and five years later he became a resident of Thames. From 1878-88 he was a teacher of singing under the Auckland education board. In 1905 he became conductor of the Auckland Choral Society. Grigg took a great interest in astronomy. In 1874 he tried to observe the transit of Venus and in 1882 he succeeded. He then erected a private observatory (1884), where he discovered comets in 1902, 1903 and 1907. He succeeded in obtaining a photograph of the comet of 1901 which was recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society granting him a fellowship (1906). He was also awarded two medals by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. In 1911 he joined the expedition to Vavau to observe the eclipse of the sun. Grigg wrote and composed a number of songs, including 'My Own New Zealand Home.' He died on 20 Jun 1920.

N.Z. Herald, 26 Jun 1920.

Reference: Volume 2, page 273

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