OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 28 November 1935, Page 6

OBITUARY

bxR. c. h. bowater By the passing away on Tuesday evening of Mr. Charles H. Bowater, at his residence, Cains Avenue, Wanganui loses another old and honoured resident, whose name will ever be favourably associated with the success and progress of the Gonville School, of which he was the popular headmaster for many years. During his control, from 1911 the tone of the school, always understaffed, improved in a marked manner, the children progressed. scholastically, and in the various pastimes in which they engaged, particularly in swimming, earning the inspectors’ highly-favourable report, the “school being an unqualified success. ’’ Mr. Bowater’s life work was centred in his school duties, and he did not take any prominent part in public affairs, though privately displaying th J keenest interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the city, particularly the Beautifying Society. The deceased gentleman was burn in Melbourne in/ 1863, and at an early age came to New Zealand with his parents, who settled in Wellington. Educated ■ in Wellington, he was appointed pupil ; teacher at Waverley, and at the age of 18 had sole charge of the school : in the growing district of Rongotea, ( where his parents had removed. Mr. 1 Bowater remained in the district until • his appointment in charge of the Gonville School in 1911, where he taught successfully for 18 years, retiring after t 50 years’ faithful service in the Edu- i ctaion Department. He was also presi- ( dent of the Wanganui district brunch ( of the New Zealand Teachers’ In- ( stitute. Mr. Bowater was a man of very tine > t character and was a member and|j ardent worker in the Methodist Church. ( He has held almost every office open ( to the layman, as a local preacher, ] Sunday School superintendent and teacher. For many years he occupied ( the position of secretary and treasurer J to the Gonville Methodist Church Trust { and his passing is a serious loss to ( church life. The late Mr. Bowater took the keenest interest in the Masonic craft, in which he rose to high .office, and was an active and foundation member of Lodge Moutoa. He was also a mem ber of the Gonville Bowling Club, and generally interested and helpful in I healthful manly snort. The deceased is survived by a I widow and four children (Mr. Gordon , Bowater, Christchurch; Madame Aileen ! Johns and Mrs. Hugh Stevens. Auck . land: and Mr Clifford Bowater. ■' to whom the sincerest sympathy will be extended t