OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24445, 27 May 1941, Page 2

OBITUARY

Mr George Gould

(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. Mr George Gould, whose death occurred this morning after an operation, was an active member of the Canterbury Jockey Club for many years and took a deep interest in its affairs, both internally and on the racecourse. He became a member in 1891 and was appointed to the committee two years later. He was elected a steward in 1916, but his main interest in the club was as treasurer, an office he held from 1915 up to the time of his death with the exception of the periods 1924-29 and 1931-33, when he was chairman of the committee. At last year’s annual meeting of members Mr Gould was elected a life member in recognition of his long association with the club. He figured prominently as a breeder of thoroughbreds and practically every’ season had a horse or horses in training at Riccarton. One of the best he bred and raced was Palestrina, who won the New Zealand Oaks Stakes in 1921 and among her 13 other successes were the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, the Midsummer Handicap (twice), the Southland Handicap, the Rangiora Cup, the Waimate Cup, the Otaio Plate and the Dunedin Birthday Handicap. Since being put to the stud Palestrina produced The Cardinal, an Avondale Cup winner. Judith, dam of Palestrina, formed the foundation of Mr Gould’s stud and another from her, Jericho, won some I’aces for Mr Gould, including the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. Unfortunately Jericho suffered a serious accident when in training as a three-year-old and was retired to the stud. He soon made a name for himself by siring- Counterblast, owned by the late Sir Charles Clifford, who later acquired Jericho for Stonyhurst Stud. During the past season Mr Gould’s colours were carried with marked success by Not Out, who was another of his own breeding. It was only a few weeks back that he sold Not Out, and at the time of his death he had his three-year-old filly Pennywhistle, a relation of Not Out, in work at Riccarton.

Mr Gould was born in Christchurch in 1865 and was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, and Cambridge. He became a farmer and later joined the firm of Gould, Beaumont and Company, which was afterwards amalgamated with Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd. He was chairman of this firm, chairman of the New Zealand Shipping Company, a director of the Christchurch Press Company, and the Christchurch Gas and Coal Company, president of the Christchurch Polo Club, chairman of the committee of St. George’s Hospital, chairman and promoter of the Christchurch War Memorial Fund, and of the Save the Square Committee, a former president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member of the Waimakariri River Trust Board.

MR G. T. RANDALL

Th.? death has occurred at Bluff of Mr George Thomas Randall at the age of 58. Mr Randall had a varied life in Otago and Southland and was about to begin his second term as a borough c< uncillor.

Mr Randall was born on the Otago Feninsula and later removed with his parents, Mr and Mrs Charles Randall, to a farm in the Clutha district. Mr Randall during his early life showed a liking for photography, which he adopted as a profession until he accepted employment in the saw milling trade in Southland. He was in business as a photographer at Otautau for three years before conducting a travelling motion picture show through Southland and South Otago, visiting many of the country centres. After his marriage to Miss L. Dale, of Bluff, about 25 years ago, he was employed on the tramways at Napier. Returning to Bluff, he once again took an active interest in the motion picture business, establishing the Star Pictures, which in 1925 closed down. Up to the time of his death he was a tally clerk on the Bluff wharves. Journalism attracted him, and fcr some time he was employed on the now defunct Bluff Press. He was for many years the Bluff correspondent for The Southland Daily News. He was a keen horticulturist and in his garden he had specimens of practically all the native flora of Nev/ Zealand. He imported seeds and bulbs from Holland and other countries and in the last few years he had specialized in gladioli. He was interested in Oddfellowship and was a member of the Star of Bluff and an honorary member of the Rebekah Lodge. In his younger days he took an active part in the competition work of the lodges and on one occasion gained the highest marks evei’ to be given in New Zealand or Australia for a certain part of the ritual. He was also an authority on the Maori language and Maori lore. Mr Randall is survived by his wife, one son, Mr Owen Randall, and a daughter, Miss N. Randall.

MR WALTER FEWSTER

Mr Walter Fewster died at his residence Ocean Beach, on Sunday after a short illness. Born in Victoria 63 years ago, Mr Fewster came to New Zealand in 1904 and was employed by the Ocean Beach Freezing Company for 36 years. Before leaving Melbourne he was a popular amateur boxer, being greatly in demand for preliminaries to matches arranged by Larry Foley, a well-known boxer and promoter in Melbourne in the early part of this century. For many years Mr Fewster conducted a boxing school at Bluff and many well-known boxers passed through his hands, including Dick Finnerty, Jim Finnerty (lightweight champion of New Zealand), Billy Taylor, Billy Rose (professional and amateur welterweight champion of New Zealand), Evan and Charles McQuarrie, Paul McQuarrie (heavyweight champion of New Zealand), A. E. Tall, Billy Dixon, Frank Vella, Ray Nichol (champion of New Zealand), and Hector Leckie. Later Mr Fewster was a well-known second at boxing matches in Invercargill, and was in the corner of practically every boxer to visit the city. The eld Bluff Boxing Association honoured him by making him the only life member of the association. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs Pengelly (Christchurch), and one son, Mr Walter Fewster (Bluff). Two grandsons are with the forces overseas, one in the Navy and the other in the Army.

MR W. J. HEALEY

The death has occurred of Mr William Joseph Healey, of Invercargill, at the age of . 88. Mr Healy was born in Auckland in 1853 and came to Invercargill at the age of 18. He had lived in the city for 70 years. He married Miss Mary Ann Crack, of Myross Bush, in 1878. His wife died some years ago. He took a keen interest in politics and was a supporter of Liberal principles; he was an enthusiastic worker for the party for many years, but other than that he lived a quiet and retiring life. For many years he was a member of the Invercargill Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mr Healey is survived by a grownup family of three sons and five daughters.