Sir Joseph Ward Dies Suddenly

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32367, 5 August 1970, Page 12

Sir Joseph Ward Dies Suddenly

Si r Joseph George Davidson Ward, grandson of a former Prime Minister, Si r Joseph Ward, died suddenly in Christchurch yesterday, aged 60. He succeeded to the Ward baronetcy, created in 1911, on the death of his father, Sir Cyril Ward, in 1940.

His 34 years as a member of the Canterbury University Council, his 30 years as honorary consul in Christchurch for Belgium, and his leadership in such organisations as the Scout Association, the League for the Hard of Hearing, and the Royal Humane Society were among his public services to the community. Although a barrister and solicitor since 1934 and a

member of the Christchurch Stock Exchange from 1945 to 1966, Sir Joseph Ward devoted much of his time and energy to welfare and social organisations. He was well known for his long association with the university—first as president of the Students’ Association and then as a member of the University Council and chairman from 1948 to 1951.

At the end of last year he established a record for service on the council, having been a member continuously since 1934 except for a break of a year. Sir Joseph Ward was also a leading figure in the sport of fencing both nationally and locally. He represented New Zealand at the Empire Games in 1950 and was a vice-presi-dent of the Federation Internationale d’Escrime from 1938 to 1954. His other interests were contract bridge and philately. He was a member of the

management committee of the Contract Bridge Association, president of the Christchurch Philatelic Society for five years and in 1958 was president of the Philatelic Societies.

Sir Joseph Ward was born In Invercargill and educated at Christ’s College and Canterbury University College where he gained his LI.M. in 1934. He was president of the Students’ Association in 1932 and 1933.

He was a law clerk and ' joined the shipping firm of Kinsey and Company; Ltd, in 1 1934, becoming secretary in ' 1937. In 1938 he became a 1 notary public and an associ--1 ate of the Institute of Chart- ■ ered Shipbrokers. 1 During the Second World War he served in the transport and shipping office in Southern Military District headquarters with the rank of captain. In 1940 he was appointed honorary consul for Belgium; he became dean of the Christ church Consular Corps in 1959. From 1942 to 1962 Sir Joseph Ward was Provincial Commissioner for Scouts. He became a director of the Royal Humane Society in 1941 and its president in 1946. He was president of the Canterbury branch of the League for the Hard of Hearing from 1946 to 1958 and for many years was president of the Canterbury Travel Club, serving as president of the New Zealand association for two terms. From 1938 to 1954 Sir Joseph Ward was president of the Amateur Fencing Association. He was runner-up in the first New Zealand foil championships. From 1938 to 1958 he was a member of the 1 executive of the Olympic and British Empire Games Association, representing fencing In 1950 Sir Joseph Ward was created a Chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Belgium for his services to that country. He was also awarded the Medaille Civique (Ist Class) by the Belgian Government in 1966. Sir Joseph Ward Is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. His heir is Joseph James Laffey Ward, aged 23. In a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Professor N. C. Phillips) said last night that the university would be a great deal poorer for his death. “He was a man of great friendliness and great cheerfulness. He was very generous to the council with the fruits of his experience, natural wisdom and good will. “His example in service would find few parallels indeed,” said Professor Phillips.