A DISTINGUISHED COLONIST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 68, 13 December 1917, Page 6

A DISTINGUISHED COLONIST

DEATH OF SIR CHARLES BOWEN

A Press Association message from Christchurch announces the death of t-ho Eon. Sir Charles Christopher Bowcn, at the ago of 87 years. The Hon. Sir Charles Christopher Bowcn, Kt., K.C.M.G., M.L.C., had a long and distinguished career in New Zealand politics. To trace his first entry into public affairs one has to go hack to the early 'fifties, when tlie deceased became a member of the Provincial Council of Canterbury and its Treasurer. Ho had come out to New Zealand with tlic first party of Canterbury settlers as a private secretary to ill'. Godley, bringing with him a first-class education, obtained at Rugby and Cambridge. At this time also the lion, gentleman was writing most of the political leading articles in the "Lyttclton Times," of whicli paper he and Mr. Crosby Ward were joint owners for a few years. Sir Charles Bowcn co-operated with Mr. Moorhouse and the Provincial Government in inaugurating the first New Zealand railway, and urged the construction of the Moorhonse tunnel—a huge undertaking in those days. In 1859 he made a- trip to England. Two years afterwards lie published a very interesting article in an English paper describing an expedition to tile seat of the old Inca civilisation in the Peruvian Andes. In the year 1862 he was back again in the colony and he was appointed a Magistrate at Christchurch —a position lie held for ten years. When Mr. Moorhouso resigned "tho Superintendency of the province in 1868 the leaders of both political parties sought to induce the hpn. gentleman to stand for tho position, and it is probable lie would have been returned unopposed, but lie declined. In 1874 he became Minister of Justico in the Vogel Ministry, and was called to the Upper House. Shortly afterwards, however, he resigned to contest the Kaiapoi seat, which had become vacant, and was successful. In the debates of 1875-76 on the subject of the abolition of the provinces lie took an active part, and also expressed himself very strongly against party _ government. Deceascd's most distinguished service, \iowever, was given in 1877, the year in which lie succeeded in getting his Education Act through Parliament. TJnder this Act the Dominion s national system of primary education was for tiio first timo introduced. It is as well to quote here a paragraph relating to Sir Charles Bowen's connection with this measure from Gisborne's "Men of Mark in New Zealand": "In tho passage of'the Education Act," tho writer says, _ lie showed great abilities characteristic of statesmanship which even his strongest political opponents could not fail to recognise. , A bettor man for the performance of the onerous task could not have been• selected. He combined with a thorough mastery of his subject persuasive powers of a high order. ... He had a gentlo and winning nature, and his speeches were good and logical, but more notable for mild persuasiveness than for polemic force." The Ministerial offices held by the late Sir Charles Bowcn extended over the lieriod between 1874 and 18(7. In this interval yet another political triumph was achieved by Kim in the institution of the "marks" system in the New Zealand gaols. He worked hard as Minister of Justice to secure this improvement. He continued member for Kaiapoi until 1881—through three successive Parliaments —but ho did not seek re-election ir. 1881, being about to pav a visit to England. Throughout his career Sir Charles Bowcn. took great interest in educational matters. He sat as chainnain of the Canterbury Education Board, and was president of tho Collegiate Union. He was one of tho first members of the Canterbury College, and a member of the Senate of tho Now Zealand University. Deceased was called to the Legislative Council again in 1891. and continund a member until 1915. On July 4, 1905, he was elected Speaker of the Council, and held this office until his retirement from the Council. Deceased was related to the late Lord Chief Justice, the Ut. Hon. Sir Charles S. C. Bowen. His sons all occupy distinguished oositions in various parts of the world. .Sir Charles Eowen was created a Knight Bachelor in 1910, and. in 1914 was made Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George, "both distinctions in recognition of his splendid servico to this country.