Obituary

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30569, 12 October 1964, Page 11

Obituary

MR E. S. BELL A former Christchurch man who, for the last 15 years, taught English at a girls’ school at Numazu City, Japan, died on Tuesday. He was Mr Eric Stewart Bell. Born in 1889, Mr Bell was educated at Christ’s College, and was a member of the cathedral choir during its

early years. He first worked at Milner and Thompson, Ltd., Christchurch, but later founded his own business— Oriental Arts, Ltd.—in Cathedral square. Music was one bf Mr Bell’s major interests, and for a number of years he conducted the Everybody’s Theatre orchestra and other orchestras for the popular pantomime seasons. After his arrival in Japan in 1922, Mr Bell taught in Tokyo, and for the last 15 years was an English teacher at a girls’ high school at Numazu City. Through his efforts, the school became the sister school of the Christchurch Girls’ High School. Mr Bell also taught at a boys’ school and at various industrial plants and the University of Mercantile Marine at Shimizu. During his first year in Japan, Mr Bell experienced the tragic earthquake that reduced many cities to rubble. He was interned in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War 11, but though his health suffered he never lost his high regard for the Japanese people. During his 42 years in Japan he made two visits to his homeland. Mr Bell was the youngest of a family of five, all of whom he outlived.