Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 209, 3 September 1941, Page 9

Obituary

HAROLD R. BO WATER (Contributed.) In this endeavour to pay tribute to a lifelong friend whose mortal remains were laid ait rest yesterday afternoon, inspiration is drawn from the words of an eminent teacher who said, “A race of gentlemen can only be produced byfostering in the boy the qualities that make for health, strength and a manly desire to bless, benefit and serve the race. ’ ’ Harold Bowaiter was reared in the atmosphere of a Christian home at Hanson, and passed through the village •school to graduate into tho teaching profession. Duriifg his long association with that honouraole calling, which he practised with disti notion in many centres, he always endeavoured by word and deed to inculcate in the minds of iiis pupils the principles which underlie the elements of true living. Ho was a man who looked for and saw the best in other people, and was ever charitable towards their failings. Never narrow or unduly biassed in outlook, yet firm arid steadfast in his regard for the sacredness of his mission in life, he never deviated from the straightforward path or faltered in his endeavour to mould the future of plastic youth on the broad tenets of Christianity. To nim. sohool-teatf'ning was not merely based on religion, it was a reiigiou. He believed that in the ouilding of a character that was to endure tne structure must be built from the ground upwards and that to get real knowledge and education the foundations must be based on sound principles. He also subscribed to the belief that wo benefit humanity as we benefit ourselves; that our scnoois should teach the nobility of labour ana the beauty of human service. In his intercourse with the world at large the same guiding fundamentals governed his life. A wide and studious reader, his mind was a treasury of general information which ho was wont to reveal when outlining his opinions on topical questions or when sustaining his argument in incisive debate.

VViieu the war of 1914 caned for service lie responded oy joining tne forces in the iiuropean sector, where he contracted serious pnysicai disabilities from which ho never entirely recovered and . ..ten undouotedly shortened the iengt.l oi his days, Back to civil life, ana wuiie still a soreiy afflicted invalid, no resumed his studies and by dint of courageous application succeeded in reaching the goal of his own scholastic attainments which entitled him to the coveted degree of master of arts. In due course ne resumed his profession. In 1919 ho married Doris, a younger daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. J. M. Wratt, pioneer settlers of tne Peikiing district. Borne years ago a persistent recurrence of his war injuries compelled hint to retire from school life, ou: nothing could daunt his cheerful personality or shake his faith iu the Divine order. Prominent among his many public services was liis uuuroken attachment to his Church. On occasion he occupied the pulpit as a layman in the Baptist and Methodist Churches, but never as a preacher; always as a teacher

H.o was a foundation meinoer and lirst secretary of the iSandon Old Boys’ Association and a past president, rle had a long-standing connection with .freemasonry at Bulls and feilding, and was a valued member of the Returned •Soldiers’ Association. Above all he was a sincere friend of all who from time to time came within the wide orbit of his influence.

Prior to tho final obsequies at the Kelvin Grove cemetery, Rev. .B. F. Carlisle conducted a service before a large congregation in the Palmerston North Baptist Church, when he delivered an inspiring eulogy of the life and character of a Christian gentleman who had left a host of mourning friends. Following the church service, at tho graveside Wor. Bro. Fcrgusson, assisted by Past Masters of Feiiding and KangiI tikei Lodges, recited the impressive Masonic burial service, to be followed by the sounding of the Last Post by Bugler R. Stewart, while soldier comrades strewed poppies of remembrance on the casket. Among a beautiful collection of floral tributes were wreaths from tho Bandon Old Boys' Association, Fcildiug and Palmcrsrton North Baptist churches, the Methodist Church, Bongotea, and Feiiding Masonic Lodge. Besides his sorrowing wife there are left to mourn their loss one daughter,

Mrs. L. Hayden (Feiiding), Murray, John and Stuart, soijs, and one grandchild. Firm in his faith my friend was ready and happy to meet his end; he has “crossed 'the bar ,J into a haven ot peace in the steadfast belief that all things work together for good. And so we who survive respect anil pay homage to his memory.