CITIZEN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23687, 20 June 1940, Page 16

CITIZEN'S DEATH

MR. WILLIAM COLTMAN VARIED PUBLIC LIFE After a life of public service in diverse fields, Mr. William Coltman, aged 77, died at his home in Courtville Flats, City, on Tuesday. As a watchmaker and jeweller he had been in business in Auckland since 1908, and in the intervening period was prominently associated with bowling, motoring, music, the Rotary Club and other public and social interests.

Mr. Coltman was born in Birmingham, England. With his parents he came to New Zealand in 1881, arriving at Wellington by the sailing ship Waimate. His father, also a jeweller, started in business there. Two years later Mr. William Coltman went to Geraldine to set up a business on his own account, and after a time hje moved to Waimate, where he and Mrs. Coltman lived for a good many years. While there he was for a long time Mayor of Waimate, a member of the South Canterbury Hospital Board and chairman of the local'high school board of governors. He was keenly interested in the volunteer movement, in which he held a captaincy. Among other things, in Auckland he was the first president of the Justices Association, past-president of the New Zealand Bowling Association, as well as the Auckland centre, the Automobile Association, foundation member and past-president of the Rotary Club, and chairman of the Royal Auckland Choir, of which he was treasurer for 20 years. Mr. Coltman leaves a widow and five sons. The funeral will be held this morning.