"KING OF THE RIVER"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22714, 29 October 1935, Page 16

"KING OF THE RIVER"

FAMED FIGURE PASSES Alderman Joseph Mears—philanthropist, sportsman and " King of the River," but plain " Joe " or " the Guv'nor " to his countless friends in Richmond —is dead. He died in his sleep at his home in Kew road at the age of 63, says a Daily Telegraph correspondent. The Thames, river of interesting personalities, has lost one of its greatest characters. His military figure and ruddy face were as well known in the streets of Richmond as the launches and steamboats bearing his name which cruise pleasantly along the river. Mr Mears was an alderman and a former Mayor of Richmond, head of the firm of Joseph Mears, Launches and Motors, Ltd., owner of a chain of important kinemas, a fleet of motor coaches and a great deal of property in the district, and chief of a contractor's and wharfinger's business which his father founded in Fulham. He was also vicechairman of Chelsea Football Club and owner of Stamford Bridge ground. As I talked to his friends in Richmond I heard many tales of "Joe's" sportsmanship and his great benefactions, some made in the limelight of his civic position, but most behind the scenes, where he helped many a widow in distress or a failing tradesman in trouble with the bailiffs. The story of him which I liked best was of the day during his mayoralty three years ago, when he took 400 old people up river in his launches. When rain threatened to spoil the outing he ordered the launches to hurry back to Richmond, and packed, his guests into one of his most comfortable kinemas. Among other gifts of land to the borough itself, he presented Richmond with a strip of ground which made possible the building recently of a fine promenade parallel with the towpath between Richmond bridge and Messum's boathouse. His name is perpetuated here in the name, " Mears's Walk." He had been a Richmond councillor since 1919, an alderman since 1926, and at one time or another he had been on every committee. He attended committee meetings on three nights in the week of his death, and when he failed to turn up at another he merely said that he felt unwell. His wife died a few years ago. He loaves two sons and a married daughter, Mrs David Leighton, who acted as Mayoress during his term of office.