WINTON

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 8

WINTON

INSTALLATION OF NEW COUNCIL CEREMONY IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS The installation of the newly-elected members of the Winton Borough Council took place at the council chambers yesterday at noon. The town clerk (Miss I. G. Russell) read the declaration. There were present: The Mayor (Mr T. Walker), and Crs N. Metzger, F. Tilley, T. N. Eastlake, G. W. Walters and W. H. J. Shaw. An apology was received for the absence of Cr R. W. Goodall. In extending a welcome to the new council, the mayor said there were three new members. Cr Shaw was not altogether a stranger, he said, as he had been associated with the Reserves Committee for the past few years, and Crs Walters and Goodall had proved themselves to be public-spirited citizens. He hoped that the borough would continue to prosper and make good progress. It was decided that the council meetings would be held on the second Monday of each month, the first meeting to be on June 13. Councillors were appointed to the various committees as follows:— Works, Building and Cemetery Committee. —Crs Metzger (convener) and Tilley. Reserves and Sanitary Committee. — Crs Shaw (convener) and Goodall. Associate members: Messrs T. N. Mitchell and W. J. Bennett. Finance, Light and Fire Prevention Committee.—Crs Eastlake (convened) and Walters. OBITUARY The death occurred at Bumside, Boggy Bum, of Mr William John Cowie, a sheep farmer well known throughout Southland. Born at Otapiri 67 years ago, Mr Cowie was the oldest son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Cowie. He was educated at the Limehills School, after which he worked fot a time at Cleave’s nursery in Invercargill, later returning to work on his father’s farm at Otapiri. At the age of 26 he and his brother, Mr Panton Cowie, took over two sections of Shand’s Boggy Bum block. Five years later the partnership was dissolved and Mr Cowie farmed this land, which later was known as Burnside, up to the time of his death. This farm was in its natural state, swamp, niggerheads and rushes, when taken over by Mr Cowie and today is recognized. as one of the best farms in the district. In 1901 he married Miss Christina Henderson. Mr Cowie took a leading part in most public activities. He was one of the original directors of the Boggy Bum Co-operative Dairy Factory Company, which was formed in 1910, and was chairman from 1936 to the time of his death. For many years ,he was a successful competitor at various collie dog trials and was one of the first members of the Kauana Collie Dog Trials Club. Some years ago he was elected a life member, having held all offices in this club. Mr Cowie for many yeais was an elder and a treasurer and session clerk of the Centre Bush Presbyterian Church. Mr Cowie took a prominent part in the recent erection of the new church at Centre Bush and was also a liberal subscriber to its funds. He was secretary of file Limehills-Benmore River Board, a member of the Femhills School Committee, a member of the Limehills Domain Board and the Athletic Club, a member of the Pukearuhe Hall Committee, a member of the Winton and Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Associations and also a life member of the Royal Show Society. Mr Cowie was a keen bowler and was a member of the Winton Central Bowling Club since its inception. He was also a member of the Winton Masonic Lodge. In the early days Mr Cowie was a keen follower of the hounds and was a well-known figure in the hunting field on his horse Otapiri. He was a. noted breeder of draught horses and his services with the ailments of horses were always in demand in the district. In 1928 Mr Cowie went for a trip to Britain, visiting England, Scotland, Canada and the United States, and while in Scotland he visited the birth- > place of his parents at Culsalmoved, Aberdeen. Last year Mr Cowie was a member of the party of New Zealand farmers which toured Australia. He is survived by his widow and son, Mr Lennox Cowie, of Boggy Burn, and two daughters, Mrs David Strang (Wellington street, Invercatgill) and Mrs J. C. McKenzie (Duke street, Invercargill), and also his brothers and sisters, Dr James Cowie (Masterton), Mr P. A. Cowie (Gore), Mr Henry Cowie (Otapiri) and Mrs G. W. Rouse (Otapiri) and Mrs George Cowan (Oreti).