ARTHUR ROBERT EWENS
potted history from
Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) Wednesday 2 June 1926
MR. A. R. EWENS DEAD
40 YEARS' PIRIE RESIDENT. Sudden Collapse at His Home.
A FINE CITIZENSHIP ENDED.
The whole of Port Pirie and district was shocked at the news of the death
yesterday morning of Mr A. R. Ewens, which occurred suddenly, at his home, Beach
Road, Solomontown. At his passing, Mr. Ewens was in his 70th year, but his
activity and cheerfulness belied his age. His death removes one of Pirie's most
well-known identities.
Mr. Ewens had been ailing for some time, and had a slight seizure at his office
on Thursday afternoon. He was assisted home and was away from his duties for
several days, but several times intimated that he would soon be quite all right
again.
Yesterday morning he telephoned his office, stating that he was feeling his old
self again, and would come down to work. A little later he col lapsed in his
room, and passed away before assistance arrived.
The late Mr. Ewens was born at Adelaide in 1856, and was the second son of the
late (Mr. W. R. Ewens, who came to South Australia with 'his parents' when a
boy, in the early days of the Province: the original Plough and Harrow Hotel in
Rundle street being built by his father. The deceased gentleman was educated at
S. Paul's School, Adelaide, and at the close of his scholastic duties entered
the business of Guthrie Bullock and Co. Woolbrokers. at Kensington. He was
afterwards for three years a member of the mounted police,
and subsequently became manager at Quorn for the branch business of James Martin
and Co., of Gawler. which appointment he retained for six years.
In 1887, nearly 30 years old he joined his brother-in-law. Mr A. A. Pearce.
forming the firm of A. A. Pearce and Co.. auctioneers and general agents,
licensed land brokers and shipping agents, Port Pirie and had continued in this
connection ever since.
An all-round sportsman, the deceased was a prominent member of several of
Pirie's sporting bodies.
In the capacity of a captain, he was one of the
most popular officers ever attached to the
Rifle Club, and was one of its most ardent supporters.
In 1879 he was a sergeant in the Gladstone R.V.F. Co.. and that year was the
only member of the Company to qualify as a marksman. He was afterwards the
promoter of the Quorn R.V.M. Company, and was appointed first-lieutenant under
Captain F. F. Wholohan. In 1886 he won the prize given by Captain Drysdale for
the highest aggregate at the Port Augusta and Quorn rifle match. With the
exception of three years, when he was not shooting, he qualified as a marksman
for quarter of a century. At the class firing for 1902-1903 he put, up the
record scores for the Pirie Club.
In 1890 an Act amending the Defence Forces Act of 1886 was passed, when for the
first time in this State rifle clubs were authorised to be formed. At that time
there was no military force in Port Pirie, and it was decided to establish a
rifle club; A meeting was held on July 13, 1891. and Mr. Ewens occupied the
chair. As a result, the Port Pirie Rifle Club was formed the first rifle club
gazetted by the South Australian Government. Mr. Ewens was elected
president, and was appointed captain
at the time of the inauguration of the Commonwealth in 1901. He was
captain of the club during the years 1893 to 1897 and 1900 and 1914.
Mr. Ewens was a splendid marksman and in the National Rifle Association match on
October 5 1907. scored 48 out of a possible 50. with 10 shots at 1000 yards a
remarkable performance. He was a life member of the Pirie Club, and was also
made a life member of the South Australian Association in 1922.
Mr. Ewens was a member of the craft of Freemasonry,
and held the office of Royal Arch Chapter.
Twentyeight years ago Mr Ewens was a prominent committeeman attached to the old
port Pirie Quadrille Club, which position he held
for many years.
He was also an ardent racing enthusiast and was a
committeeman on the old Port Pirie Racing Club
as far back as 1901. He was later appointed auditor, his first audit being in
1907. He continued in this office until the club went out of existence last
year.
Mr. Ewens' death will mean a big blow to the Port Pirie Golf
Club, of which he was a foundation member. He has been on the
committee since 1912, and has held the position of president continuously since
1917. The deceased was far from an in different golfer, and was one of the
club's most popular members. He. held the honour of being the first member of
the club to hole out in one.
The deceased was also a member of the Port Pirie Bowling Club.
In 1882 Mr. Ewens married a daughter, of Mr. John Ferry, once a well-known
colonist of South Australia. His widow survives, together with four daughters
Mrs. G. Dey (Port Pirie). Mrs. G- Wileman and the Misses Winnie and
Dora Ewens.