OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 12

OBITUARY

J DR. P. F, MCEVEDY [THE PKESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, March 2. Dr. Patrick Francis McEvcdy, a very well-known Wellington medical practitioner, died this morning, aged 55 years. He had been in failing health for some time. Dr. McEvedy occupied an unusual position m Wellington, because of his widely diversified interests in sporting, commercial, and social activities. He was best known for his association with Rugby football, first as a notable representative player, and later as an administrator of wide vision and sound judgment. He was born in Southbridge, Canterbury, and was educated at St. Patrick's College, later completing his studies at Guy's Hospital, England. His early experience of Rugby enabled him to become captain of the celebrated Guy's fifteen, and soon afterwards he was appointed to a similar position in the Kent county team, lor which he played in 70 matches. So impressive was his form that he was selected to tour Australia and New Zealand with the British team in 1904. and four years later he toured the same two countries again as vicecaptain of the Angle-Welsh team. It was during the Australian portion of the 1908 tour that he broke an arm and decided to retire from active play, and except for representing the Wellesley Club against the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand a few years later, he adhered to his resolution.

In 1909 Dr. McEvedy commenced practice in Wellington at 158 Willis street. He became a member of the Wellington Rugby Union in 1910, and was elected a vice-president in 1917. filling that office until 1929. when he

entered upon a four-year term as president. From 1913 onwards he took a prominent part in the work of the New Zealand Rugby Union, acting for .several years as the Auckland delegate ;n.d for a furjher period as the Wellington delegate. He was also a member of the management committee of th-;t body from 1915 to 1920. Last April he was elected president of the parent union, and held that position up to the time of his death. For some years past he was also president of the Wellington Football Club.

Cricket also occupied much of Dr. McEvedy's attention, and in the Wednesday matches played before the Great War he took a leading part. He was an active player until about six years ago in various club matches. For a very long period he was vicepresident of the Wellington Cricket Association, and a vice-president of the Wellington Cricket Club. Among olher interests. Dr. McEvedy was chairman of the New Zealand Boxing Council and a member of the Wellington Boxing Association; president until recently of the St. Patrick's College Old Boys' Association; chairman of directors of J. Staples and Company, Ltd., and a director of New Zealand Breweries. Ltd.; a steward of the Wellington Racing Club; chairman for several years of the Wellesley Club committee; a member of the Wellington Club; a former director of- the Phoenix Assurance Company, Ltd.; a life member of the Heretaunga Golf Club; a member of the Hutt Valley Gun Club (the last opening day was the first he had missed for about 20 years;; and medical officer of the Wellington City Council. A striking tribute to Dr. McEvedy's enthusiasm for Rugby was paid by the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union before his departure on a visit to England in 1928. when a presentation was made to him. The president (Mr A. Wiren) said that Dr. McEvedy had done splendid administrative work, and had also given good service in a professional capacity to the players, many of whom he'had treated and not charged a penny. There had been one or two crises with Athletic Park, and Dr. McEvedy had given assistance. Not long before he and others had helped to put the finances on a sound footing. Footballers in Wellington appreciated the position, and they would miss his valuable aid. -

Dr. McEvc-dy returned recently from another trip Home, on which he was accompanied by Mrs McEvedy and Ihur two daughters, Mary and Patricia There are also two sons, Patrick and Desmond, both of whom are at St Patrick's College, Silverstream. The funeral will take place on Monday morning, after Requiem Mass at St. Mary of the Angels' Church, Boulcott street, at 9 o'clock.