OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 23812, 17 February 1941, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR A. E. ANSELL The death occurred suddenly yesterday morning of Mr Alfred Edward Ansell, a well-known citizen who for many years had been deeply interested in motoring affairs, and who represented the Chalmers electorate in Parliament for several terms. Born in Dunedin in 1870. Mr Anscll was educated at the North-cast Valley School. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship with a tailoring firm in Dunedin, on the expiry of which lie worked his passage to England in the engine room of the Gothic, and was occupied at his trade in London for between five and six years. He subsequently returned to Now Zealand, and opened a retail business in Dunedin. Finding it difficult to settle ■ down in Now Zealand after some years of London life, be went back to England, but stayed only a few months, returning again to New Zealand, as be bad decided that this was a better country in which to live. After some years in tire retail business, be became established as a wholesale clothing manufacturer. Mr Ansell, besides bis business interests, took a keen interest in Association football and cricket, and was for several years president of the North-east Valley

Cricket Club. When motoring w r as in its infancy in New Zealand he took an active part in motor cycling racing, and he had many trophies to display as the result of his prowess in the sport. He took an active interest in the affairs of the Otago Motor Club from the time of its inception in 1906, and was president for seven or eight years. He was prominent in road development in New' Zealand, and an ex-Prime Minister (Mr Coates) stated on one occasion that Mr Ansell. perhaps more than any other person in New Zealand, was responsible for the Highways Act being placed on the Statutes. At the Genera! Election of 1928 Mr Ansell was elected as the Reform member for Chalmers, and ivas returned again in 1931. During his parliamentary career Mr Ansell paid particular attention to transport problems, and his comprehensive proposals for the elimination of level crossings on raihvay lines, brought before the House in the 1934 session, were adopted by the Government. Another important activity in Mr Ansell’s parliamentary life related to the question of juvenile employment. He ivas appointed a member of a committee to traverse the Dominion and investigate this very important matter. The report of the committee formed the basis of the system under which local committees were able to make substantial progress in this difficult, problem and to place thousands of youths in employment. Mr Ansell Avas a past president of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association, and a past member of the executive of the Otago Employers’ Association. Since about 1935 Mr Ansell had been the branch manager of the South Island Motor Insurance, his office being in part of the Automobile Association premises in Moray Place. Among a Avide circle of friends Mr Ansell Avas held in the highest respect and esteem. He is survived by his Avife, a daughter, and a son.

MR J. C. DAVIS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, February 17. (Received February 17, at 1 p.m.) The death is announced of Mr J. C. Davis, aged 72 years, former editor of the ‘ Referee ’ and the 1 Sunday Times.’ He was a world authority on cricket, and his journalistic career extended over 50 years.