MR. JAMES CARLAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 120, 23 May 1935, Page 10

MR. JAMES CARLAW.

DEATH AT 81 YEARS.

LONG SERVCE TO CITY. Mr. James Carlaw, for 25 years waterworks engineer to the Auckland City Council, one of the pioneers of bowling, and a founder of Rugby League football in Auckland, died in Lis home, Herbert Road, Mount Eden, last night. Mr. Carlaw was SI years of age, and had lived in Auckland since 18(53, in which year ho arrived from England in the ship William Miles with the Albertland settlers. In Mr. Carlaw's boyhood the city's water was obtained from a few public wells in streets, or from tanks, and when the service from Western Springs waa in its infancy Mr. Carlaw was appointed assistant to his father, who was then turncock. That was in 1878, and later Mr. Carlaw, jun., was appointed engineer in charge of the pumping stations at Western Springs and the Xewton Reservoir. In 1900 he was made waterworks engineer for the city. In that year the sclicme to obtain a water supply from the Waitakere Ranges was completed. It was a major work, in which Mr. Carlaw played an important part. The scheme ensured a supply of 1,000,000 gallons a day. Later Mr. Carlaw co-operated with Mr. H. Munro Wilson in reporting on a proposal to j obtain a supply from the Waitakere River. Their plan was adopted by the City Council, and in 1000 the Waitakere dam was completed, impounding 22,000,000 gallons. After 4(5} years' continuous service in the employ of the City Council, Mr. Carlaw retired in 1025. He then held the record for length of service, and he was paid a high compliment by the Mayor, Sir James Gunson, and the council. In Rugby League Mr. Carlaw's name will live for ever. He was one of the foundation members of the code, and it was due in no small measure to his efforts that Carlaw Park, named after him, was secured. Previously it was occupied by Chinese gardeners. Ho was appointed chairman of the Auckland Rugby League in 1914, and Carlaw Park was opened in 1921. Up till three years ago Mr. Carlaw took an activo part in the control of the code. In bowling circles Mr. Carlaw was equally prominent, being one of the pioneers of the game in Auckland. Over 40 years ago he joined the Auckland Bowling Club when it possessed the only green in the city. He was at one time champion of the Auckland Club, and was. a past president and life member. In 1918 he founded the Auckland Veterans' Bowling Association. Mr. Carlaw was a prominent Mason and; a foundation member and past master of Lodge Auckland. He also took a prominent part in connection with the Old Colonists' Association. Mr, Carlaw leaves a wife and an adult family of a former marriage—Mr. James ( Carlaw, and threo daughters, Mesdames 1 A. E. Wetherilt, J. L. Eoster and R. G. , Sloman. There are ten grandchildren ' and one grandchild.