GRAY, SIR ALEXANDER (1860-1933) came of Scots pioneer stock, being the son of William Gray (q.v.), formerly of Aberdeen, and Mrs Catherine Geddes (Sutherland) Gray, who was born in Wick. Born in New Plymouth, he was educated at Wellington College and Grammar School (now Wellington College), being enrolled on the day it opened. At the age of 14 he entered the attorney-general's office as a cadet and two years later was articled to F. H. D. Ball, with whom he remained for five years. In 1881 he was admitted a barrister and solicitor, and moved to the Wairarapa, where he became junior partner in the firm of Beard and Gray (Greytown).

In 1886 Gray returned to Wellington and eventually founded the firm of which he remained head from 1892 until his death. For six years he was junior partner with Mr Campbell, and then practised in his own name (1892-1903). He was raised to the rank of King's Counsel in 1912. Gray was for many years president of the Wellington district law society and succeeded Sir Charles Skerrett as president of the New Zealand law society (of which he first became a vice-president in 1918). In that office he was prominent in the negotiations which resulted in the establishment of the solicitors' fidelity guarantee fund and was chairman of the committee of management of the fund. He was a member of the rules committee set up under an act of 1930, and presided at most of the legal conferences from 1928. He was noted for his cool, incisive mind, and his patient and persuasive manner. He was an ideal arbitrator and had particular success in this field.

Gray was knighted in Jan 1933. He married (1904) Mary, daughter of John Nelson, of Milton, Otago.

J.H.B.S.

Evening Post, 28, and Dominion, 29 Apr 1933.

Reference: Volume 1, page 176

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