OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 244, 15 October 1936, Page 6

OBITUARY

OLD SANDON IDENTITT MR. ALFRED JAMES BOWATfiR (from Our Own Correspondent) SANSON, Oct. 14. The death occurred of Mr. Allred James Bowater on Sunday, at the Palmerston North Public Hospital, an old and highly respected resident of the districl, at the age of 66 years. Mr. Bowater, who woulu have attained the age of 67 years in a short while, had been more or less a cripple for ten years following a mishap with a horse wnich resulted m his suffering a fracture of a leg. Since then he had been obliged to use crutches. A stroke brought on his final illness. Wellington was Mr. Eowatcr's birth-place When he was five years of age his parents, the late Mr. and .Il's. James Bowater, removed to Sanson, where Mr. Bowater established the first blacksmith's business to be conducted in the district. The family travelled by boat to Foxton, and thence by builock dray to thennew home. Growing to manhood, Mr. Bowater undertook the calling of a wheelwright and was associated with has father, later carrying on business on his own account. Contact with horses developed in Mr. Bowater a keen love for them, and his regard in that direction found concrete expression in the confidence young animals placed in him. Being an expert in handling horses, Mr. Bowater undertook horse-breaking and large numbers went through his hand* to be taught the essentials of good behaviour and obedience. It was when handling a young horse that he suffered the injury to a leg. Having seen the Sandon district undergo a transformation from flax and toi toi to its present rich pastures and valuable cropping lands, Mr. Buwater developed a deep love for the district. He was of a quiet and reserved nature, however, and did not take any great part in public affairs. For a long period of years he war a member of the Rongotea Masonic Lodge, and in his earlier days took an active part in the affairs of the Methodist Church at Sanson. It was in his own work, his home, and its surroundings that Mr. Bowater's interest found expression, and he worthily earned the esteem of fellow residents and others as an industrious and straightforward gentleman. The late Mr. Bowater married Miss J. L. Membery, in Taranaki, and returned to reside in the Sandon township and the home to which he took his bride has remained their abode ever since. In addition to Mrs. Bowater, there are left a son and a daughter, Mr. Earle Bowater, of Palmerston North, and Mrs. R. H. McMillan, of Sydney. The funeral was held on Tuesday, the Rev. R. E. Fordyce officiating at the Methodist Church and at the Sandon cemetery. The pallbearers were all nephews, Messrs. J. R. Masters, H. R. Masters, C. Henson, C. E. Eg'linton, E. Bowater, and E. H. Wilson. The regard in which the late Mr. Bowater was heid was shown by the large number of floral tributes received and in the attendance of many who came from far and near to pay their last respects.