Obituary MR W. J. COWLES, CITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29490, 17 April 1961, Page 14

Obituary MR W. J. COWLES, CITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

Mr William James Cowles, who died in Christchurch yesterday at the age of 61, was chairman of the City Council’s reserves committee, a prominent sports administrator and a businessman who took a leading part in the organisations within his industry. Mr Cowles was born and educated in Timaru. He played Rugby football and cricket there and at one time captained a South Canterbury eleven. Mr Cowles's love of sport. which remained throughout his life, did not stop there, however, for he was prominent as a swimmer and tennis player and still found time to go into the back country on deerstalking expeditions. Mr Cowles was elected to the City Council as a Citizens’ Association' member in 1947. He was defeated in November, 1953, but rejoined the council in March, 1954, when a vacancy occurred, and served continuously until his death, being chairman of the reserves committee from 1956. To the administration of the city’s parks and reserves, Mr Cowles brought his experience of sports administration and a desire to see the city’s amenities for all sports improved. Under his chairmanship, the committee developed new reserves and improved existing ones. He was particularly enthusiastic about the need for a stadium for indoor sports, and it was largely because of that enthusiasm that the sports stadium was built at Cuthbert’s Green. This is to be his memorial, for on Wednesday night the council will name the stadium after him.

Next to reserves. Mr Cowles's main interest in the council’s work was electrical supply. He was a member of the electricity committee throughout his council service and also served on the traffic, by-laws and finance committees. As a council representative, Mr Cowles was a member of the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board and its chairman for a term. He was also a director of the Christchurch Milk Company. He was a member of the Christchurch Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authority. Founded Business Mr Cowles worked in the cordial-manufacturing industry for most of his life and, in 1934, established himself as a cordial and aerated water manufacturer in Edgeware road. In 1946 he took his son, Mr W. V. Cowles, into partnership and formed the firm of W. J. Cowles and Son, Ltd. About two years ago the firm merged with Quill Morris and Company, Ltd., and Mr Cowles remained a director of the new company. He was an executive member of the Canterbury Carbonated Water Manufacturers’ Trade Group of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association from 1951 until his death, and its chairman for some years. He was elected to the Dominion

executive of the New Zealand Association of Carbonated Water and Cordial Manufacturers in 1937 and was its president for three years, 1947 to 1950—-the first man to serve a three-year term in that office. He remained on the executive until 1955. In 1954, Mr Cowles took over the position of editor of the Dominion association's journal and held it at the time of his death. Rugby Interests When he moved from Timaru to Christchurch as'a young man, Mr Cowles joined the Linwood Rugby Football Club, beginning an association which was to last for the rest of his life. He was president of the club for many years, and for several years was its representative on the Canterbury Rugby Union. During the Second World War he was one of Canterbury’s Rugby selectors. Mr Cowles was elected to th committee of the Pioneer Amateur Sports Club in 1939. became the club’s vice-presi-dent in 1948. and was its president from 1950. He was chairman of the Canterbury Amateur Sports Federation, the organisation which raised money to send Canterbury athletes to compete at Olympic and British Empire Games. Mr Cowles was a prominent member of the St Albans Swimming Club, and patron of several other sports bodies, including softball and lawn tennis clubs. About a year ago Mr Cowles was a founder of the Lions Club in Christchurch and was its first president. He is survived by his wife and a son.

MR R. SIMPSON Mr R. Simpson, who coached and refereed boxing at Christchurch Boys’ High School for 40 years, died in Christchurch on Friday. Mr Simpson began his career in boxing before the First World War. and in 1910 he won both the Canterbury and New Zealand amateur light-weight titles. Two years later he was runner-up for the national light-weight

title after an eye injury had forced him to withdraw from the final. Not long after he began coaching and for years he coached, refereed and judged boxing at Boys’ High School and the University of Canterbury. From 1921 to 1932 he coached mostly with boarders at the Boys’ High School hostel, where he gave two classes a week. Since 1932 he returned to the school to judge and referee. For 21 years he- was associated with boxing at the University of Canterbury and under his tuition his teams scored several successes at the winter tournaments. A member of the Canterbury Boxing Association’s executive for many years, Mr Simpson was a referee for both amateur and professional bouts. Mr Simpson is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons. MR G. D. GRAY Mr G. D. (Doddy) Gray, who played Rugby for New Zealand in 1908 and 1913. died in Christchurch yesterday, aged 80. One of New Zealand’s greatest five-eighths before the First World War, Mr Gray played for Albion and the inside back combination of P. Burns, Gray and J. Weston became famous in club and representative football. Mr Gray played for the South Island six times from 1908 to 1913. In 1908 he played for New Zealand against an Anglo-Welsh fifteen at Wellington and five years later he was a member of the All Black side which toured California and Canada. Before the team left for California Mr Gray played for New Zealand against Australia. With the exception of the 1903-04 season when he played for Wellington, Mr Gray played continuously for Canterbury from 1900 to 1914. Although he was not fast on the field he was a clever and thoughtful footballer and in his time was considered one of the most brilliant fiveeighths produced in New Zealand. Mr N. Bradanovich (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. April 10 The president of the Franklin Racing Club. Mr Nicholas Martin Bradanovich, J.P., a 1928 All Black, died suddenly at his home in Pukekohe yesterday. He was S 3. Mr Bradanovich was an Otago Rugby representative and in 1928 played at fiveeighths for the All Blacks against the touring New South Wales side He was a dentist in Pukekohe and was associated with many sporting and other bodies. He raced many good horses, but Oklahoma, a top steeplechaser, was probably the best of them. Mr Bradanovich is survived by his wife and two daughters.