LOSS TO SPORT OF TROTTING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21576, 12 February 1940, Page 10

LOSS TO SPORT OF TROTTING

DEATH OF MR J. H. WILLIAMS

By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. The death occurred this morning of Mr J. H. Williams, president of the New Zealand Trotting Association. He was a highly lespected administrator of the sport and had played a big part in making trotting as popular as it is to-day. Mr Williams, who was educated at Christ’s College, was a member of the legal firm of Meares, Williams and Holmes. On leaving school he took a prominent part in cricket in Canterbury, and was secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association at the time of the visit of Lord Hawke’s team more than 40 years ago. He represented Wellington on the New Zealand Cricket Council. He was also a prominent tennis player. Mr Williams was elected vice-presi-dent of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Cub in 1915. and held that position until 1924 when, on the death of the president, the Hon. C. Louisson, he was elected president, which position he occupied until his death. In 1916 Mr Williams was elected a member of the Trotting Association and had been a member ever since. On the retirement of Mr P. Selig in 1925 Mr Williams was elected president and held the position until his retirement a few months ago. He was a member of the Racing Association set up by the Government in 1920 to consider the redistribution of permits. Mr Williams was one of the most popular figures in trotting, and he enjoyed the wholehearted confidence of the men engaged in every department of the sport.