OBITUARY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27415, 30 July 1954, Page 12

OBITUARY

COLONEL J. C. NICHOLS (From Our Own Reporter)

OAMARU, July 29. Colonel Joseph Cowie Nicholi C.8.E., of Kuriheka station, Maheno, whose death occurred this week, •was for more than 60 years a leading fig. ure in the pastoral and business ]jf ft of North Otago, and one whose phiL anthrophy will be remembered in the district. During the First World War Colonel Nichols commanded the Otago Military District, and for 20 years before then he took a keen interest is military affairs.

Born in Launceston, Tasmania, fa 1859, Colonel Nichols, who was 95, ‘came to New Zealand 10 years later, and received his secondary education at Otago Boys’ High School and Christ’s College. In 1879 he left New Zealand in the Stadt Haarlem, the first steamer to make a direct voyage from the Dominion to London. He completed his education at Cambridge University.

Colonel Nichols married Miss Helen Hunter, a daughter of Robert M. Ayre, of Benduck Station. New South Wales. They had four sons and two daughters. Two of his sons were killed in the 1914-18 War. Colonel Nichols purchased Kuriheka Station in 1885, and this property, which is one of the show places of North Otago, was still held by him at the time of his death, although it has been managed by a son, Mr Arthur Cowie Nichols, for many years.

Early in his life Colonel Nichols became interested in military affairs, and was a member of the Otago Boys’ High School Cadets. He joined the Otago Hussars in 1886, and the following year was commissioned a lieutenant in the North Otago Hussars. In 1901 he commanded the Duke of York’s escort, and in 1902 was promoted to the rank of major and given command of the Ist Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifles. Shortly afterwards he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and at the outbreak of the 1914-18 war took over command of the Otago Military District, a post he held for the duration of the war. His interests were wide and varied, and apart from many investments 4 n North Otago and Oamaru. he owned considerable property in the business area of Invercargill, as well as (in association with members of his family) extensive pastoral blocks in Southland. He was one of the largest shareholders of the North Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., and a director of that company for more than 50 years. Throughout his long life Colonel Nichols generously assisted worthy causes. The beautiful Anglican church at Maheno, which he and his brother, the late Mr Cyril Nichols, gave to the Aiemory of the colonel’s two sons killed at the war, will be a lasting testimony to his generous nature. Earlier in his life Colonel Nicholu served on various public organisations. He was an inaugural office bearer of the North Otago Motor Club, now A.A. (North Otago), a member for some years of the Oamaru Harbour Board, and patron of numerous associations. He is survived by a son, Mr Arthur Cowie Nichols, and a daughter, Miss Violet Mary Nichols. MR R. F. COOK A Canterbury representative cricketer on several occasions since the war. Mr R. F. Cook died suddenly yesterday. He was 40 years of age. Mr Cook worked for many years on the grain and seed staff of Dalgety and Company at Christchurch and Ashburton, but left recently to take up farming at Mitcham. __A former pupil at Christchurch Boys’ High School, Mr Cook had a brilliant ’ n s P° r L He was captain of the first eleven and first fifteen, and m 1933 was senior monitor of the S 4?? ol ‘ He was also an outstanding athlete. After leaving school Mr Cook played Rugby for the Old Boys senior team, and played cricket for the Old Boys seniors for 20 years, winning many successes with his slow spin oovvling. He played for Canterbury early m the war years, and took part in three Plunket Shied matches in 1948. He played in the trials to select the 194'9" ea^and * eam to tour England in Mr Cook leaves a wife and two young sons.