Charles William Archer - 1905
A man who achieved great peaks in both business and sporting fields and who saw members of his family follow his footsteps in these spheres, has died, he was Charles William Archer. Born in Clifton in 1905 Mr Archer was the second son of James and Elizabeth Archer. He spent his early life on farms at Clifton, Dunback and Waimahaka. Leaving school at the age of 12, Mr Archer worked for a few years rabbiting and in a dairy factory, where he was first assistant, before becoming involved in the trade in which he won considerable respect for his ability and knowledge, carpentry.
At first he was apprenticed to the late Mr Jack Rankin and worked all over Southland. He was in Gore in 1930 when he was foreman carpenter on the construction of the Regent Theatre, the building which is now occupied by Woolworths in Irk Street.
Returning to Invercargill, Mr Archer continued in the carpentry trade and in 1936 he came to Gore again and commenced work on his own account. The first home he built in Gore was for the late Mr Jim Windle in Thomas Street.
Over the next 20 years Mr Archer built up his business, working at various times in most parts of the Gore district. During war years he was directed to essential Government work at both the Tapanui and Clydevale Linen flax factories. During this time he built the present Forest Lodge at Tapanui as a staff hostel.
In 1958, Mr Archer formed his business into a private company with his two sons, Robin and Watson, as shareholders. The business continued to expand rapidly until the untimely death of son Watson.
Mr Archer was a competent athlete in the days when professional running was at its peak in Southland, winning the Tuatapere mile on three occasions as well as the mile at the Dunedin exhibition in 1924.
A notable occasion was when he played a major part in a 'coup' when he won the mile at the Taihape sports in 1923. Mr Archer was a member of the Pioneer Atheletic Club and was founder president of the Gore Amateur Athletic Club.
Rugby was another sport which fully captured his interest. He played for the Pirates club in Invercargill and also for the Western, Northern, Central and Eastern sub-unions. In 1927 he wore the Southland jersey.
In the coaching sphere Bill Archer met success when he coached the Pioneer senior team to win the Wallis Shield in 1939 and in later years he became known throughout the country as a keen and knowledgeable supporter of the game.
Bowling became another sporting interest in his life and he was president of the Gore - based Hokonui Bowling Club.
A man who enjoyed quail shooting, duckshooting and deerstalking, Mr Archer was above all a keen angler and he enjoyed nothing more than a day on the river. His favourite hunting ground was the Oreti, preferably in the head waters where he chased the big ones. He had considerable success, claiming several 'notable bags'.
Mr Archer was a member of the Southland Acclimatisation Society for several years.
Mr Archer was also a supporter of the sport of trotting, owning winners in Builder's Choice and Yankee Hanover, the latter in partnership with his wife. He was a member of both the Gore Racing and Trotting Clubs and also the Cromwell Jockey Club.
Work and sport did not, however,rule Bill Archer's life by any means. He was a gardener and a family man whose home became a centre for frequent visitations from friends and relatives.
At first he was apprenticed to the late Mr Jack Rankin and worked all over Southland. He was in Gore in 1930 when he was foreman carpenter on the construction of the Regent Theatre, the building which is now occupied by Woolworths in Irk Street.
Returning to Invercargill, Mr Archer continued in the carpentry trade and in 1936 he came to Gore again and commenced work on his own account. The first home he built in Gore was for the late Mr Jim Windle in Thomas Street.
Over the next 20 years Mr Archer built up his business, working at various times in most parts of the Gore district. During war years he was directed to essential Government work at both the Tapanui and Clydevale Linen flax factories. During this time he built the present Forest Lodge at Tapanui as a staff hostel.
In 1958, Mr Archer formed his business into a private company with his two sons, Robin and Watson, as shareholders. The business continued to expand rapidly until the untimely death of son Watson.
Mr Archer was a competent athlete in the days when professional running was at its peak in Southland, winning the Tuatapere mile on three occasions as well as the mile at the Dunedin exhibition in 1924.
A notable occasion was when he played a major part in a 'coup' when he won the mile at the Taihape sports in 1923. Mr Archer was a member of the Pioneer Atheletic Club and was founder president of the Gore Amateur Athletic Club.
Rugby was another sport which fully captured his interest. He played for the Pirates club in Invercargill and also for the Western, Northern, Central and Eastern sub-unions. In 1927 he wore the Southland jersey.
In the coaching sphere Bill Archer met success when he coached the Pioneer senior team to win the Wallis Shield in 1939 and in later years he became known throughout the country as a keen and knowledgeable supporter of the game.
Bowling became another sporting interest in his life and he was president of the Gore - based Hokonui Bowling Club.
A man who enjoyed quail shooting, duckshooting and deerstalking, Mr Archer was above all a keen angler and he enjoyed nothing more than a day on the river. His favourite hunting ground was the Oreti, preferably in the head waters where he chased the big ones. He had considerable success, claiming several 'notable bags'.
Mr Archer was a member of the Southland Acclimatisation Society for several years.
Mr Archer was also a supporter of the sport of trotting, owning winners in Builder's Choice and Yankee Hanover, the latter in partnership with his wife. He was a member of both the Gore Racing and Trotting Clubs and also the Cromwell Jockey Club.
Work and sport did not, however,rule Bill Archer's life by any means. He was a gardener and a family man whose home became a centre for frequent visitations from friends and relatives.
Bill Archer Had Many Interests - 20-9-1974
Always a progressive thinker, Mr Archer encouraged the particpation of other staff members as shareholders and at the time of his death his enthusiasm had led to Messrs Colin Hay and Robert Tattershaw joining Mr Tom Morton in active participation in the affiars of his company.
Mr Archer was also involved in the formation of the local crane company Eastern Crane Hire Ltd, in conjunction of his sons, Robin and Watson and Mr Russell Graves, and he played an active part in both companies at the time of his death.
A man who derived considerable satisfaction from any facet of the construction business, Mr Archer was proud of the success of his firm, Archer Building Contractors and was also proud of the success of his apprentices, particularly the progress of Mr Alex Jones, now of Jones and Cooper Ltd.
His association with the Otama district was highly valued and he was responsible for the construction of the school church and hall in that area. He could also claim to be a founder of the Gore Master Builder's Association, and his practical knowledge and advice were valued both within and outside his own firm.
If the name of Bill Archer was well known in the building trade it was equally well known, and respected in the field of sport. When one studies the list of the abilities of the Archer family with the likes of Jim Archer, like brother Bill, was a successful professional athelete and in 1925 he represented New Zealand at Rugby as a forward.
The names of Robin and Watson are synonomous with Rugby in the south. Robin Archer represented both Otago and Southland as well as New Zealand, while Watson played several matches for Southland and was unlucky not to achieve higher honours. The two brothers were paired in the five eighths when Southland took the Ranfurly Shield of Taranaki in 1959.
Netball, basketball and athletics were Linley McMeeken sporting pursuits and she achieved considerable success in all fields. She played for Southland Country and New Zealand at netball, and represented Otago at basketball and was a Southland athletics representative on many occasions, once finishing second in the national 80 metres hurdles championships.
Always a progressive thinker, Mr Archer encouraged the particpation of other staff members as shareholders and at the time of his death his enthusiasm had led to Messrs Colin Hay and Robert Tattershaw joining Mr Tom Morton in active participation in the affiars of his company.
Mr Archer was also involved in the formation of the local crane company Eastern Crane Hire Ltd, in conjunction of his sons, Robin and Watson and Mr Russell Graves, and he played an active part in both companies at the time of his death.
A man who derived considerable satisfaction from any facet of the construction business, Mr Archer was proud of the success of his firm, Archer Building Contractors and was also proud of the success of his apprentices, particularly the progress of Mr Alex Jones, now of Jones and Cooper Ltd.
His association with the Otama district was highly valued and he was responsible for the construction of the school church and hall in that area. He could also claim to be a founder of the Gore Master Builder's Association, and his practical knowledge and advice were valued both within and outside his own firm.
If the name of Bill Archer was well known in the building trade it was equally well known, and respected in the field of sport. When one studies the list of the abilities of the Archer family with the likes of Jim Archer, like brother Bill, was a successful professional athelete and in 1925 he represented New Zealand at Rugby as a forward.
The names of Robin and Watson are synonomous with Rugby in the south. Robin Archer represented both Otago and Southland as well as New Zealand, while Watson played several matches for Southland and was unlucky not to achieve higher honours. The two brothers were paired in the five eighths when Southland took the Ranfurly Shield of Taranaki in 1959.
Netball, basketball and athletics were Linley McMeeken sporting pursuits and she achieved considerable success in all fields. She played for Southland Country and New Zealand at netball, and represented Otago at basketball and was a Southland athletics representative on many occasions, once finishing second in the national 80 metres hurdles championships.
William Charles Archer - The Oreti was his favourite
A fisherman will look at a river in a different way to other people confirms Bill Archer of Gore. He sees things that are unobserved by others and not understood.
He views the current with a practised eye, detecting its changes of direction and speed. He looks over the whole river with one thing in mind - the most likely place where a fish may lie.
Great friendships are built up between anglers and rivers. Like human friends, some are better known than others. A few - or perhaps just one - become inseparable companions the long and close relationship so welding and cementing the bonds of comradeship that a sense of devotion is developed.
During a talk I had recently with Bill Archer, he made it abundantly clear that he had such a deep and intimate feeling for his beloved Oreti. He said "I can never have the same feeling towards any other river, for the simple reason of the great and splendid days I have spent on the banks, where I have enjoyed the company of lifelong friends and where I have learned so much.
Fishing says Bill Archer brings out the good in a man, but more than this, I find, fishing is a great leveller. All men are equal on the river; there is a common bond. In its pursuit, life has no ugliness, and in its solitude you get to know yourself perfectly.
There is nothing more beneficial to a man's well-being than a satisfying day with the rod. Most of us, after a few years at the game are inclined to speak considerable authority. This is a mistake for the day will come, when in a remarkable short time, some conviction, quite positive previously, is either woefully shaken or shattered completely. "Once past this stage our fishing really begins, since there is a greater thirst for knowledge than ever and a grand uncertainty on many matters."
"On the other hand, there do come those absolutely unshakeable beliefs, based on the findings that have been proved time and again. Upon these milestones only a few that they might be, can we peak with any real certainty. But even then it is wise not to be too dogmatic, for there is nothing in this world more gloriously mysterious than fishing.
The really great anglers, I think, must be born and not made, for they are possessed of senses and powers not given to many. I do not claim to be among this hallowed band, let me assure you. But let me tell you with equal sincerity that I may be counted with all those who have a deep and abiding love of the sport and, what is more, a genuine appreciation of my good fortune in being interested in trout fishing at an early age.
'"I remember well the fishing days spent at Gorge Road on the lower Mataura in company of my mother and father, when we used to pack the catch in an old petrol case. But better do I remember the days spent on the Oreti, the bright days, the dull days, the nor'-wester days - Oreti days with good cobbers and good fish that take a fly and put up a fight that you will appreciate and remember even if you don't always have the luck and good fortune to land him.
Tight lines Bill. We hope your shadow will fall on water of "So Big" the "Gilbraltar" and the Windley for many years yet. - P. Munro.
A fisherman will look at a river in a different way to other people confirms Bill Archer of Gore. He sees things that are unobserved by others and not understood.
He views the current with a practised eye, detecting its changes of direction and speed. He looks over the whole river with one thing in mind - the most likely place where a fish may lie.
Great friendships are built up between anglers and rivers. Like human friends, some are better known than others. A few - or perhaps just one - become inseparable companions the long and close relationship so welding and cementing the bonds of comradeship that a sense of devotion is developed.
During a talk I had recently with Bill Archer, he made it abundantly clear that he had such a deep and intimate feeling for his beloved Oreti. He said "I can never have the same feeling towards any other river, for the simple reason of the great and splendid days I have spent on the banks, where I have enjoyed the company of lifelong friends and where I have learned so much.
Fishing says Bill Archer brings out the good in a man, but more than this, I find, fishing is a great leveller. All men are equal on the river; there is a common bond. In its pursuit, life has no ugliness, and in its solitude you get to know yourself perfectly.
There is nothing more beneficial to a man's well-being than a satisfying day with the rod. Most of us, after a few years at the game are inclined to speak considerable authority. This is a mistake for the day will come, when in a remarkable short time, some conviction, quite positive previously, is either woefully shaken or shattered completely. "Once past this stage our fishing really begins, since there is a greater thirst for knowledge than ever and a grand uncertainty on many matters."
"On the other hand, there do come those absolutely unshakeable beliefs, based on the findings that have been proved time and again. Upon these milestones only a few that they might be, can we peak with any real certainty. But even then it is wise not to be too dogmatic, for there is nothing in this world more gloriously mysterious than fishing.
The really great anglers, I think, must be born and not made, for they are possessed of senses and powers not given to many. I do not claim to be among this hallowed band, let me assure you. But let me tell you with equal sincerity that I may be counted with all those who have a deep and abiding love of the sport and, what is more, a genuine appreciation of my good fortune in being interested in trout fishing at an early age.
'"I remember well the fishing days spent at Gorge Road on the lower Mataura in company of my mother and father, when we used to pack the catch in an old petrol case. But better do I remember the days spent on the Oreti, the bright days, the dull days, the nor'-wester days - Oreti days with good cobbers and good fish that take a fly and put up a fight that you will appreciate and remember even if you don't always have the luck and good fortune to land him.
Tight lines Bill. We hope your shadow will fall on water of "So Big" the "Gilbraltar" and the Windley for many years yet. - P. Munro.
