OTAGO PERSONALITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27401, 29 May 1950, Page 8

OTAGO PERSONALITY

Death Of Mr John Hope DISTINGUISHED SPORTS RECORD The death occurred on Saturday morning, after a short illness, of Mr John Hope, at the age of 83. Mr Hope, who was an outstanding Otago cricketer and Rugby footballer, had a lifetime association with both sports, and was also prominent in public affairs * A member of the Carisbrook Cricket Club for over 60 years, he was one of the famous Otago eleven developed by J. C. Lawton, who ranked among the best of the many fine professional cricket coaches brought out to New Zealand from England. Born in Dunedin Mr Hope attended the Old Stone School, and represented Otago for the first time in 1885. From that time until his retirement from representative cricket in 1899, he played in 26 matches. He was a left-arm bowler, and during his representative career secured 78 wickets at a cost of under 14 runs each.

Mr Hope was contemporaneous in cricket with the illustrious pair, A. Downes and A. H. Fisher, and but for

the fact that he was playing in the same team as those great bowlers, a fact which lessened his opportunities, he would probably have won the higher honours of the game. Joining the Union Rugby Football Club in 1885, Mr Hope was associated with it for over 65 years, and was the oldest living member with continuous service. He played for Otago against the New South Wales team in 1886, represented Southland in 1888, and, returning to Dunedin, played for Otago in the third match against Stoddart’s British team the same season. After his playing days were over, Mr Hope took a leading part in sporting administration, his interest being maintained to the end. He held office as president of the Carisbrook Cricket Club and also of the Otago Cricket Association, and was a life member of both these bodies. He was also a life member of the Union Football Club, and after relinquishing office as its president became its patron, a position he held for many years. Mr Hope’s sporting interests included bowling and he was at one time president of the Mornington Bowling Club. He presented the Hope Shield to the Dunedin Bowling Centre for the Wednesday competition. He was associated with the Otago Caledonian Society foj- many years, and held office as president. He had been president of the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band since 1920 and of the Dunedin Ladies’ Pipe Band since its inception some time ago. He was mayor of the former Mornington Borough for a term and also served on the Mornington School Committee. He recently completed 50 years as a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, was a past president of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, and at the time of his death was still an executive member of the committee. He was also a member of the Commercial Travellers’ Club. Mr Hope founded the firm of Hope and Kinaston, funeral directors, 63 years ago, and took a prominent part in the business life of the community. He was predeceased by his wife 10 years ago and is survived by three sons and two daughters—Messrs J. I. Hope, A. N. Hope, E. L. Hope, and Mesdames J. Railton and F. Mouat, all of Dunedin.