OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 25342, 22 July 1935, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR A. C. McGAVOCK The death occurred yesterday at his home in Herbert street of Mr Archibald Campbell McGavock at the age of 62. An engineer and surveyor who played a prominent part in the development of Southland, he was also a noted sportsman, being regarded in his day as one of the best amateur steeplechase riders in the Dominion.

The late Mr McGavock was born in Avenal and received his education in Invercargill. He joined the Survey Department and was for many years engaged in the triangulation of tht then little-known country west of the Waiau. After working for a time with Mr W. Sharpe, a civil engineer and architect in Invercargill, Mr McGavock accepted the position of engineer to the Wallace County Council. For thirteen he capably filled this responsible position. Then for a similar period he was assistant engineer to the Southland County Council. The last important undertaking carried out by him was the construction of the new bridge at Gorge Road. From that time his health became indifferent and for the past seven years he has been almost confined to his home. Mr McGavock was of a hardy, selfreliant type and was eminently fitted to be a pioneer surveyor where hardships had to be cheerfully faced and difficulties overcome. He did much highly creditable work both in the Southland and Wallace counties, particularly in road location and road engineering. He was popular both with his men and with contractors. A keen lover of horses, Mr McGavock was a fearless rider who claimed many successes as an amateur oyer difficult steeplechase courses. He twice rode the winner of the Great Western Steeplechase at the Riverton meeting, being successful on Mr H. Telford’s Aparima in 1892 and again in 1894. On the latter occasion the stakes were divided as the result of one of the most extraordinary decisions in the history of racing. After Aparima and Seaward (who was ridden by Mr F. McKay) had covered five and a-half miles—a round more than Nimrod (ridden by A. Mears) —and after Aparima had prevailed in a stirring finish wtih Seaward, a dispute arose as to the distance and the instructions issued to the riders prior to the start. Protracted deliberation ended in Aparima and Nimrod being declared equal, the stakes being divided between them. Mr McGavock was for a number ot years master of the Birchwood hounds and was a popular and prominent member of the Invercargill Football Club. He was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of the late Mr John Simon, of Myross Bush. Their two children, Mr George McGavock, superintendent of the Colonial Mutual Insurance Co., Invercargill, and Mrs C. Pyke, Dunedin, survive, as does his second wife, a daughter of the late Mr George Printz. SIR CHARLES HOLDSWORTH. ASSOCIATION WITH UNION COMPANY. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington. July 20. Advice has been received by the Union Steam Ship Company that Sir Charles Holdsworth died in London yesterday, aged 72. Sir Charles Holdsworth was born in Wellington and was educated at the Wellington High School and Wellington College. At the age of 17 years he entered the office of the Black Diamond line, and was later appointed branch manager at Westport. When the line was absorbed by the Union Company, Mr Holdsworth remained at Westport as manager until 1891, when he was transferred to Hobart as manager for Tasmania. In 1898 he came to Dunedin as chief manager and inspector, and in 1901 was appointed general manager of the company. When Sir James Mills, the founder of the line, retired in 1914, Sir Charles was appointed managing director, a position he occupied till . 1930, . since which date he had been living in retirement in London. Sir Charles married Miss Lillian Falla, of Nelson, and there were three children of the marriage. He was created a knight in 1926. He was a most courteous official, whose activities were devoted solely to the advancement of the Union Company. He saw many changes in the company and its fleet, and he was in charge during the very trying years of the war period.