Sports writer dead

Press, 1 September 1977, Page 6

Sports writer dead

PA Wellington One of New Zealand’s best known sports journalists, Mr Gabriel David, died suddenly in Wellington yesterday. He was 50. Mr David had a varied career in journalism. He was noted as a rugby, tennis and golf writer and as sports editor of the “Evening Post” in the 1960 s and early 19705. Mr David toured Australia and South Africa with All Black teams, and covered tours of this country by the British Isles and South Africa. A colourful writer who expressed strong opinions, he turned to news and feature writing after the British Isles rugby tour of New Zealand in 1971. Mr David won several awards in journalism. In 1974, he won the Dulux

award for news writing for his cover of an armed holdup of the “Evening Post” newspaper building in Willis Street, Wellington. His sporting interests were wide. He represented the Bush at rugby and cricket and was also a Manawatu a id Wairarapa boxing champion. Mr David was a prolific writer. He also wrote “Rugby and be Damned” after the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa in 1970. In 1971 [he was the co-author, with I David Frost of “The Guar|dian” in London, of “The Lions’ Share,” about the [British Isles tour of this I country. I A puckish character of I ready wit. Mr David was often sought as an after- [ dinner speaker at sporting [organisations. [ In later years he was a regular columnist for his

r[ newspaper, while keeping an -[interest in sport. ’ Mr David was educated at s St Patrick’s College. Silverstream, and was publisher j[and editor of the “North - Wairarapa News."