M. B. Grant

Mr Matthew Barnett Grant was born in Dunedin in 1898 and attended Christ's College from 1905 to 1914. The next year he attended Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, where he stayed for a year. Later he was engaged in farming in the Amberley district. He retired from farming in 1930 and took employment in the motor industry.

Mr Grant became interested in photography and began free-lance work for the press. He gained the distinction of being the first New Zealand photographer successfully to use a miniature camera exclusively in this work. He broadened his press activities to include writing on a variety of subjects, notably firearms and mountain accidents and hydro-electric work.

His stories and articles on wild life and high country shooting were widely-known throughout the Dominion and his many articles on rifle technicalities made him probably the best-known firearms writer in New Zealand. His articles on firearms and on photography were also published in Australia, England and the United States.

Besides being a keen mountaineer Mr Grant was also actively associated with many other sporting bodies. He was an active member of the Brackenfield Hunt and a well-known rider over jumps at shows. He was a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As a member of the Christchurch Ski Club he was probably the first man in New Zealand to hunt chamois and thar off skis.

In his younger days Mr Grant won both car and motorcycle trials as a member of the Pioneer Motor Club. He was an executive member and vice-president of the Christchurch Photographic Club for many years. Other sporting bodies with which he was once associated were the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, the Cashmere and Amberley Miniature Rifle Clubs, the New Brighton and Leith field Surf Clubs and the Leithfield Swimming Club, of which he was champion in 1924. He also played Rugby football for the Amberley and Christchurch Clubs.

Mr Matthew Barnett Grant, one of New Zealand's best known firearms and hunting authorities, died in Christchurch on April 28th, 1952. He was 53. He was survived by his widow, formerly Miss Alexandra McLean, of "Mountain Meadows," Amberley, one daughter and two sons.