Mr Carleton Perkins

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 25

Mr Carleton Perkins

Mr Carleton Hunter Perkins, a prominent Christchurch accountant and former chancellor of the University of Canterbury, died in Christchurch on Saturday, aged 79.

Mr Perkins was awarded the 0.8. E. in 1961.

He was born in Christchurch and educated at Cashmere Primary School, Christchurch Boys’ High School and the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1930. He was the University Student Association's president during that year.

Mr Perkins was admitted to the New Zealand Society of Accountants in 1929, received fellowship status in 1936, and became a life member of the society in 1967. He was on the New Zealand council of the society from 1938 to 1950 and was its president from 1946 to 1947.

In 1931, he began practice as an accountant in a partnership with Mr Jack Pickles. His firm’s name was changed from Pickles and Perkins, to Pickles, Perkins and Hadlee in 1937, when Mr Walter Hadlee joined the firm.

It has had several other changes and is now part of an international partnership called Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company. Mr Perkins retired from the business in the early 19705. He was closely involved with rugby, having been a member of the university’s senior rugby team

from 1927 to 1932 and its captain from 1929 to 1932. He was in the New Zealand Universities rugby team in 1929 and 1931 and was its captain during a tour of New South Wales.

Mr Perkins was also a Canterbury representative in 1930 and 1932. During the latter year the team held the Ranfurly Shield.

He was on the Christchurch Boys’ High School board of governors from 1951 to 1960 and was its chairman for three years.

Mr Perkins continued his involvement with the University of Canterbury and was a member of its council from 1950 to 1974. He was the university’s chancellor from 1959 to 1965.

In 1975 he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the university.

Mr Perkins was involved with many organisations including the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation and the Christchurch Clnical School of Medicine.

He represented the Uni-

versity of Canterbury on the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation’s council from 1960, was a member of its executive from 1965 and was elected president from 1971 to 1980. He was also the University of Otago’s representative on the Christchurch Clinical School of Medicine’s council when it began in 1972, and subsequently served a twoyear term as chairman.

Mr Perkins had been a director of public companies, including' Midland Coach Lines, Ltd, but had ceased those in recent years.

In: 1957 he Was thd chairman of the Committee of Inquiry into Transport Across Cook Strait which recommended a Wellington-Picton Cook Strait ferry service, and was a member of the Rural Mortgage Adjustment Commission. Mr Perkins took an active part in the affairs of the Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.