OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 89, 10 August 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY

HON. J. B. GOW One of the foremost dit ! izens of the Bay of Plenty for over 50 years, Mr James Burman Gow died at his residence "Carmyllie," Opotiki, early on Thursday morning. Mr Gow was a farmer and had developed large tracts of virgin country in Opotiki, Waictah'i, Nukuhou and the Rangitaiki Plains, banging the land into lirst class j>roduction. Nor was he only concerned with his own betterment; at the age of 24 hit was chairman of the Whakatane County Council and following this early commencement in public affairs he occupied many executive public positions, not only in the Bay of Plenty but as a member of the N.Z. Counties' Association of which on retirement he was elected' a life member. He was also a member of the National Dairy Association and during the Premiership of the late JVIr W. F. Massey was appointed to the- Legislative Council and served in Parliament for 14 years.

He was for many years a member of the Opot'iki County Council, being chairman for a period of 20 years. Practically every main road between Opotiki and Wliakatane saw its inception under Mr Gow.'s guidance and later on he took a growing interest in the drainage operations which converted 100.000 Sicres of soured swamp into the fertile Rangitaiki Plains of to-day. He was selected by the Government of New Zealand on two occasions to go abroad representing the Dominion—at the Council of Pacific Relations at Honolulu, and at the -Empire Parliamentary Conference in Canada. Mr Gow was a speaker of more than ordinary ability. While he spokt? always with cliaracterist'ic fortce, he had a sparkling gift of humour and the capacity'for marshalling his facts and bringing his arguments to a sound conclusion, after rising to his feet at a meet* ing. His father, the Rev. John Gow, came ostensibly to Opotiki to retire but being of a vigorous personality, to him must go much of the credit for establishing the Presbyterian Church in Opotiki, Taneatua, Opouriao and Whakatane. Elder of the chunsh, his son was a Ave 11 known. figure 1 at the N.Z. General Assembly. ■ In >886 the late Mr Gow inarried Miss Agnes Alison daughter of Mr George Murray and lie is .survived by three sons, Messrs W. B. Gow, James Gow and Walter G. Gow, all of Edgecumbe, and three daughters Mrs A. M. Morice (Ruatoria), Mrs T. I. Steele (OpotSki) and Mrs J. C; Irving (Bliety* helm). There are 26 grandchildren. Messrs lan B. Gow (Edgecumbe), D. O'. Murray (Thornton), G. J. Murray (Otaldri), W. J. Murray (Otakiri), John G. Murray Opotiki) and Major G. B. Murray (Opotiki) ' are all nephews.