AN EVENTFUL LIFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 3

AN EVENTFUL LIFE

THIRTY-ONE YEARS A . TRAVELLER EXPERIENCES OF CAPTAIN ' OWLES. After 31 years as traveller for Messrs Speight and Co. Captain A. W. Owles, who for many years past has been living at New Brighton, Christchurch, was on Monday the guest of the manager, the travellers, and the office staff of the firm on the occasion of his retirement. In presenting Captain Owles (who had come to Dunedin especially for the occasion) with a well-filled wallet, Mr R. M. Greenslade (the manager) made eulogistic reference to his long years of service, his efficiency as a traveller, and his estimable personal qualities. Mr H. Adam (accountant), and two of the junior travellers also spoke. Captain Owles, in reply, expressed his keen appreciation at the treatment he had. received at the hands of the firm during the years he had been connected with it. Captain Owles is in his eighty-fourth year, but is still hale and hearty and as alert mentally as many men half his age. He is a well-known figure in New Brighton and for many years has been prominently identified with public life. For two years'he was Mayor of the borough, and he has been a member of the council ever since its inception in 1896. In conversation with a Daily Times reporter yesterday Captain Owles gave a few details of his eventful life. Running away to sea at the age of 12 years he went fishing on the Dogger Bank and since then he has travelled all over the world. He arrived in Dunedin in 1874 by the ship Scimitar (Captain James Fox), although he had paid earlier visits to other parts of New Zealand. In 1878 Captain Owles brought out the tug Lyttelton, a small boat of 36 tons, for the Lyttelton Harbour Board. He has had two experiences of fire at sea, both being on the Piako, under Captain Boyd. On the first occasion the ship was 250 miles off Pernambuco (South America) and the vessel sailed into port and was scuttled, the passengers—a shipment of immigrants—being lauded by a barque. The boat was subsequently refloated and on her next trip'out caught fire 500 or 600 miles off Lyttelton one Christmas morning. The outbreak, which was caused hy an explosion of rockets, was quickly suppressed. On 1 the first occasion more than three-quarters of-the immigrants were so frightened that they insisted on returning to England, and the New Zealand Government had to pay their passages back. For 26 years Captain Owles has been a member of the Dunedin Commercial Travellers' Club and he has also been president of the New Brighton Trotting Club, and, indeed, almost every sports body in New Brighton. He is also a foundation member of the Christchurch Club. The late Mr George Owles, who was well known in Dunedin as a member of the Kaikqrai Football Club and as an Otago representative, was a son, of Captain Owles.