Personalities In N.Z. Sport

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 7

Personalities In N.Z. Sport

Cow-Puncher , ManPuncher and Bowler

FORMER policeman, footballer, boxer, athlete, bowler and comic artist, Mr. John Samuel B. Rowe, of Auckland, in his day, attained extraordinary heights as an all-round athlete; and now at the age of 74 he retains more than the usual measure of youthful vigour in oue who has passed the allotted span.

In an interesting leaflet, in which he tells the story of his many-sided life in sport and work, Mr. Rowe recalls his arrival at Auckland on April 30, 1871, in the barque Fern Glen. The voyage from Home lasted four months, and the pioneer landed at Auckland with the wonderful sum of 30s in his possession. He was looked upon as something of a capitalist, for this wealth was the result of a sweep held on board as to the date of the arrival of the pilot on board the barque. Mr. Rowe spent some time as a shepherd in the Waikato, and recalls many thrilling brushes with the Maoris. On one occasion natives began potting the party with Mr. Rowe, and before they could get under cover one man had been killed. "GOOD OLD DAYS” “These were rough and ready times,” he says, “and if my memory could depict all the scenes and incidents that occurred, it would give a more vivid impression of the very arduous manner of living in those ‘good old days!’” At one stage of his career Mr. Rowe had a try at the light-weight boxing championship of Auckland, but after beating two men he was finally outed by a butcher, Bob Hutchinson. In succession Mr. Rowe was shepherd, farmer, auctioneer, general storekeeper and carrier. Finally, in IS9S, he joined the police force and for 12 Shears was stationed at Hobsonville, then reputed to be “the hottest district in New Zealand.” He eventually closed his career as shepherd, cow-puncher, bullock-driver, gardener and occasionally (as he ad-

mits) man puncher, as bailiff to the Auckland Magistrate’s Court. Away back in the ’eighties, Rowe was a Rugby footballer well known as a member of the Old Alberts Club. Tie later took to the Association game and captained the Rangers, one of the first touring teams in the Auckland Province. In 1892 he represented the Auckland Province against Wellington, Otago and Canterbury. He was also a well-known cricketer, and in the early days was a member of tli© Alpha Club in Auckland. While at Hobsonville he captained the Hobsonville team for two seasons and was the club’s best all-round player. In his younger days ho was a track and field athlete of no mean order, while as a horseman he was outstanding. BOWLING CAREER Before leaving Auckland on transfer to Stratford, Mr. Rowe was a member of the Rocky Nook Bowling Club, winning the singles championship in the first year of the club’s activities. Mr. Rowe in his day was hardly less famous as a comic artist and entertainer. During the war he reorganised the Anzac Minstrel troupe, and as a result was able to hand over considerable sums from time to time to the patriotic funds. Despite oncoming age in recent years. Mr. Rowe, who came to Auckland on his retirement at Stratford, has continued his keen interest in bowls. He was singles champion of the Mount Albert Club two years ago, and represented New Zealand in the first interstate game played between the Dominion and Australia at Sydney in 1927. He has a collection of Australian badges, 24 in number, representing his meeting 2 4 competitors of different clubs during his Commonwealth trip. He also holds the Mcßride Memorial Cup (Mount Albert). So keen is he as a bowler that during the past winter he has joiined up with the indoor bowlers, and added his characteristic energy to a sport which has sprung into prominence very rapidly.