Arthur Morton Ollivier
THE LATE MR A. M. OLLIVIER.
The funeral of the late Mr A. M. Ollivier took place at the Heathcote Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The presence of so many prominent business men and citizens and representatives of Associations for the promotion of amateur sport was marked testimony of tho high esteem and respect in which the deceased gentleman was held during his very active lifetime. The colhnbearers were Messrs W. Hartland (Christ's College Old Boys' Association), F. Wilding (Lancaster Park C.C.), W. Pearce (Midland C.C.), R. Halley (Sydenham and Addingtou C.C.), R. D. Harman (United C.C.), and R. O. Duncan (from the late Mr Ollivicr's office). The services at the cemetery were conducted by his Lordship the Bishop, assisted by the Vcn. Archdeacons Cholmondeley andLingard and the Rev. Canon Harper. The hymns were sung by the members of St. Mark's choir, the Cathedral and College Chapel boys and the Liedortafel. Messrs Merton and Wallace conducted, and Mr C. F. Turner presided at the harmonium. The pallbearers immediately followed the hearse, and they were succeeded by the members of the family and male and female relatives of the deceased.
Press 21 October 1897
OBITUARY.
ARTHUR MORTON OLLIVIER.
By the death of Mr Arthur Morton Ollivier, which occurred at 12.20 a.m. today, there has been removed from our midst one whose many estimable qualities will be long remembered by all who knew him, and the news of his untimely decease, at the early age of forty-seven, though not unexpected, will bo received throughout the colony with unfeigned regret. Mr Ollivier could not be called a public man, though he was well known to the public, more particularly in athletic circles. He was most k _d and generous, though his charity was never ostentatious. In all he did he was straightforward and thorough, doing whatever he turned his attention to with a degree of enthusiasm which earned for him the esteem of oil associated with him. In cricket, football and all amateur sport, as a chess player or as an amateur gardener, he was equally enthusiastic. His responsibilities were many, but he discharged them with tact and judgment, and few in thi3 community set a better example of the characteristics which go towards the making of a true citizen.
Mr A. M. Ollivier was the eighth son oi tbe late Mr John Ollivier, and was born in London in March, 1851, his parents coming out to the colony in 1853. He went to Christ's College in January, 1862, and remained in that institution under the tuition of the Very Rev. the Dean and Mr (now the Rev.) R. Broughton until 1865, when he entered upon his business career. At school he was popular with his schoolmates, and was a prominent figure in the games and pastimes. He became a Fellow of Christ's College, and in 1895 was elected President of the Old Boys' Association, a position he held up to the time of his death. His first engagement in business wai with the firm of Messrs J. 1). Macpherson and Co., which afterwards became Matheson's Agency, and after that he was for many years with Messrs .7. T. Ford and Co. Upon relinquishing his position there he joined Mr Trevor Grierson in the business of accountants and auditors, and the partnership continued until April of last year. As a Canterbury representative cricketer Mr Ollivier made a name for himself early in his career, it being thirty years ago last February since he first played for the province against Otago. This match was the fourth of the series between the sister provinces, and it is worthy of note that it was the first big contest that was played on the present ground in Hagley Park. Mr Ollivier, then but a lad, was one of the youngest cricketers who ever represented Canterbury, and, though he was played for his fielding, he signalised his first appearance by making the only double figures (11) on the Canterbury side. He again played for Canterbury against Otago in the following year, but an accident prevented his inclusion in the team until 1871. He also played during the next two seasons, but was absent in 1874. The following season inaugurated a series of seven win 3in succession for Canterbury, and those successes were in no small measure due to the batting of Mr Ollivier, who played for tbe last time against Otago in 1879. He took part in the first match between Canterbury and Auckland, and in that of 1882, and he twice played against the Australian team, making top score (36) against the first team, when fifteen of Canterbury inflicted tho only defeat upon them that they sustained in the colonies before going Home. He played for Eighteen of Canterbury against the English team in 1876. He was the most successful Canterbury batsman who visited Victoria in 1878, his best display being 37 and 46 not out against the strong East Melbourne Club. In matches of less importance Mr Ollivier was a heavy scorer. An accident prevented Mr Ollivier from playing after 1883, but he still took a lively interest in the game, and he was for a number of years the sole selector of representative teams. He was appointed to select the first New Zealand team which played against New South Wales (1893). ]3e was a Vice-President of the Canterbury Cricket Association. His first Club was the United (of which he became a life member), and he played for it until the Lancaster Park Club was started. Mr Ollivier wa_ also a good footballer and a member of the Christchurch Club. In 1875 he played for Canterbury against Auckland, and in 1880 against Otago. He was one of the finest chess players in New Zealand, and occupied the position of champion of the Canterbury Club for some time, while in 1888 he won the championship of the colony. Further evidence of his fondness for healthy recreation is given in his enthusiasm for angling and mountaineering. He was a great lover of flowers and a skilful gardener, as shown by his frequent successes at the shows of the Christchurch Horticultural Society. Of that Society, and of the Acclimatisation Society and the Alpine .Club, he was an active and useful member.
Other institutions, of a different class, with which he was connected were—the Chamber of Commerce, the Heathcote Road Board and the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, and in the affairs of these bodies he always displayed sound common sense.
Mr Ollivier married the daughter of the late Mr Wm. Thomson, and leaves s. family of two sons and a daughter, who will have the regretful sympathy of the whole community in their great loss. His death occurred, as stated, at his residence, Opawa, after a comparatively brief and painless illness. Some little time ago, be went on a trip to the South Sea Islands, and on returning was ordered to Castle Hill. He was brought home a week or two ago in a very serious condition, and since then he gradually sank until he passed away early this morning, deeply regretted by all.
New Zealand Times 23 October 1897
OBITUARY.
A. M. OLLIVIER Owing to the remarkable neglect of the Press Association agent at Christchurch, the news cf the death of Mr A. M. Ollivier, than whom no mania athletic circles is better known in New Zealand, was not telegraphed to Wellington. Referring to the deceased gentleman, the Lyttelton Times aaya Very general regret will be aroused by the announcement of the not unexpected death of Mr A. M. OllivlOr, who died at bis Ottawa, at an early hour this (Wednesday) mottling. Mr OlHvier, who was tho fourth son of the late Sir Join Ollivier, avrlvfidn uanierbory about 1853, and was one of tba old-timo pupils of Christ’s. College Grammar School, which lie entered In 18C3 and duiltid, in 1865. Ho early displayed that fondness for cricket and other outdoor sports which led him to become celebrated as an athlete. His career as a cricketer was nu especially distinguished dft«. Ha played Ip {utotpfovino'al cricket against O.tajjo otaolij' thirty years a.»d, tdni ijincu tjiefi .has, .do’no battle for Canterbury again«i tho sonUfero province on eight occasions, tho la*t ociHg in 1870. Ho aDo played m.two matches with Auckland, iu 1873 and 1882, against tho Victorian Uubs in iatp and tbo Ah England Elov.eu in 1877, an 1 against ilia AUa-jrtritoa 13bjv«hS.p£ 1878 and 1880. Ho was associated With the United Canterbury Cricket Club, and in later years with tho Lancaster Park Club, For some years of late he was selector of tho teams chosen to represent this district in the various outside matches, and a'jtod In that capacity with irideb eimcost*. Betides taking a prominent part in cricketing circles, Mr Ollivier attained considerable diatiiidtion aS.ft footballer. He' played in the Canterbury fifteen against* AUckldpd jn 1875, and against Otago in 1880. He also, took ah interest iu aquatics aud general athletics, and was a.fympus .sprinter in bygone-years. He had much tdstQ Sot horticulture, was an enthusiastic grower of rosed finch choice flowers, and a successful exhibit 3r at many of tho horticultural shows held in Christchurch. Indeed, bis last appear moo in public was at the recent exhibition of'the newly-formed Christchurch Horticultural Society on Sep'omber 23 last. Ho became a Fellow of Christ's College, and , was president of the Old College Boys As* sooktion frofri- 1835 fill his. death, .hafing been re-elected to tub position dt tlib l,a§t annual meeting on October Mr Ollivier was an accountant by profession and his ability in that capacity was very marked. He was fop several years in partnership with Mr Trevor Grierson, but of late had boom in business on his own account. Ho took keen iutereat ill public mattera, but never entered derive political life. Hd was, however, fora noasiderable time member and chairman of the Heathcotd Head BbrircL In Urifato life as in bis public relations He was generally respected for His probity and straightforwardness. Mr Ollivier’s health had been bad for several months. Ho suffered from a complication of internal disorders, and latterly dropsy supervened. Some little time ago he went to Castle Hill, in the hope of deriving benefit from change of air and scone, but his malady was of too serious a nature, and when ho returned his friends practically gave up hope. He rallied slightly last week, but soon had a relapse. It was eupposed at tho end of the week that ho might .live longer than he did, but some days ago he became worse and sank rapidly. Ho leaves a widow and family.
Otago Witness 4 November 1897
Obituary.
ARTHUIt MORTON OLLIVIER. With deep regret we announce the death of Mr A. M Ollivier, which took p^ace at hi« i residence, Opawa, early on Thursday, October 21. Mr Ollivier had been suffering from ill-health for a long time, but until very recently the near approach of a fatal result was not apprehended.' Mr Ollivier's connection with chess in Canterbury has extended over the past. 20 years. He received some odds in the local club handicaps of early d»y*, but rapidly sui mounting them lose to the very front rank of local players, and his fan« became colonial when — contending in the first annual tournament for the championship of New Zealand, held in Chrinlchurch iv December 1888 — by excellent play he won the first prize and the coveted title of champion. He was again a competitor for the championship in tbe third annual tourney, held at Wellington at Christinas, 1890, but was on this occasion unsuccessful as a priz-!-winner, although scoring well. In the opinion of the writer, who was also * competitor in the same tourney, MrOllivier's score was prejudicially affected by tbe then bad state of his health. Subsequently Mr Ollivier took part only in local club tourneys and in club matches by telegraph, in the latter usually acting as team captain For many years past he was a vice-president of the Canterbury Chess Club. t Mr Olliviei's chess' talent was undoubtedly of a high order. _ His style was characterised by solidify, accuracy, and caution, and it was by no means deficient in brilliancy ; but his brilliancy was carefully subordinated to soundness, and was never essayed in a mere spirit of reckless adventure.
Mr Ollivier was as widely known and as highly esteewed in athletic as- in chess circle*, and his funeral, which took place on the following Saturday to"-the Heathcote Cemetery, was attended,-by-seyeral hundred persons. — Canter--Imry "limes^
Book of the 30th & 31st Congresses
Obituary
NZ Chess Championships Results
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References:
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]
Obituary - Press 25 October 1897
[1] Wikipedia - Arthur Ollivier
[4] "Shipping News". Lyttelton Times. Vol. III, Issue 146. 22 October 1853. p. 6. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
[5] Bastin, Kay. "John Taylor". Rootsweb. Retrieved 16 April 2013.