Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 1 April 1944, page 4


DEATH OF MR. E.H. BAKEWELL

Notable Figure In S.A. Development

The death or Mr. E. H Bakewell, which occurred suddenly in the train while be was on his way to Morgan yesterday to attend the

official opening of the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline—he was a Mem-ber of the executive committee of the River Murray League of 40 years ago—has removed a notable figure from the commercial life of Adelaide. Mr. Bakewell attended his office in Adelaide on Thursday when he was in his customary good health, and his death came as a great shock to a wide circle of business associates. For many years Mr. Bakewell had been a force in the primary pro-ducing, commercial and manu-facturing life of the State. Gifted with remarakable business acumen, he had been aptly described as a leader of men. His leadership of the Employers' Federation and the Municipal Tramways Trust over long periods was marked by re-markable progress, and his record will be a lasting monument to ser-vice in the public interest. Born at North Adelaide 84 years ago the late Mr. Bakewell was the last surviving member of the family of Mr. Samel Bakewell, who arrived in South Australia in 1839. He was among the earliest scholars at Prince Alfred College. On completing his education he joined the staff of the National Bank, and after three years there he gained experience in the north of the State in flour milling and in the pastoral Industry. The pastoral industry particu-larly, attracted his attention, and for more than 50 years he was closely associated with it. For many years he was managing direc-tor of the WillowIe Land and Pas-toral Association. Limited, which held large freehold and leasehold properties in the northern parts of South Australia and the Northern Territory. For many years also he was general manager of the estate of the late John Howard Angas, which included the famous Hill River Estate. Point Sturt Stud Cattle Estate, Kingsford, and other northern properties. For 10 years he was managing partner of Coronga Park Station. NSW, and Tarella Station, near White Cliffs. For about 12 years he was manag-ing director of Yalkuri Station, Lake Alexandrina. Industrial Relations Mr Bakewell was one of the most prominent members of the Em-ployers' Federation, of which he was chairman for 13 years. In that capacity he always strongly sup-ported the practice of bringing employers and employees together through the medium of round table conferences, which, he always held, did away with much misunderstanding and bitterness. He was a strong opponent of overlapping Federal and State legislation, and held that industrial matters should be subject to State legislation wherever possible. One of his outstanding achievements was the bringing about of closer unity among large and small employers of labor. Mr Bakewell was president of the Central Council of Employers for three and a half years, and pre-sident for two years of the Pas-toralists' Association of SA. Dur-ing his term of office the wool committees were formed to deal with the Australian wool clips under the British purchase scheeme. Mr. Bakewell represented the pas-toralists of this State on the com-mittee. During his term of office as president of the Pastoralists' Asso-ciation, Mr. Bakewell was instrumental in the formation of the first Stockowners Co-operative Shear-ing Company in Australia, and at the time of his death was chairman of the company. The idea adopted in South Australia has since been copied to all states Work For Tramways Trust Mr. Bakewell's name is closely associated with the Municipal Tramways Trust. He was appointed chairman of the Trust by the Gov-ernment in succession to the first chairman, the late A. B. Mon-crieff in 1922, and during his 15 years' occupancy of that office played a prominent part in the great progress made by the trust in that period. Mr. Bakewell al-ways safeguarded the interests of the public while on the Trust. As a mark of appreciation the trust named the overway bridge at Mile End after him. Secondary industries had a strong champion in Mr. Bakewell. At the time of his death he was chairman and managing director of the Portland Cement Co., a position he had held for more than 50 years. He had seen the com-pany grow from its initiation to its present prominence, and its pro gress was largely due to his initia-tive and enterprise. Although he never entered Parliament, Mr. Bakewell always evinced a keen interest in politics, and for many years was one of the leaders of the Liberal and Country League, and before the formation of that body of liberal sections of political thought. He was a mem-ber of the Liberal Club Ltd. from its inception, and was chairman of the finance committee of the Liberal and Country League for many years. The services of Mr. Bakewell were engaged by the Government on numerous occasions. In 1928 he was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Land Valuation Board, formed to deal with objec-tions lodged by taxpayers against the valuation of land assessed for land tax purposes. For 20 years Mr Bakewell was the SA Director of the Commercial Union Assurance Co. Ltd., and for some years was chairman of direc-tors of the company. He was also prominent in Masonic circles, and was a member of the council and executive of the Stockowners' Asso-ciation. Mr. Bakewell was twice married, and leaves a widow and six chil-dren—Mr. R- D. Bakewell. of Benalla, Victoria: Mr. H. K. Bake. well of Yalkuri Station, Narrung; Mrs. T. C. Dewez, of Toorak, Vic-toria: Mrs. De Pledge Sykes, of Medindie: Mrs. Ross Macrow, of Adelaide, and Miss E. G. Bakewell of Unley Park. The general manager of the Tramways Trust (Sir William Goodman) said last night he had learned of the death of Mr. Bake-well with deep regret. They had been friends for many years. Dur-ing the 15 years Mr. Bakewell had been chairman of the Trust they had been closely associated, and he had found Mr. Bakewell anxious at all times to do his best for the board and the public. He was a fine all-round business man of wide experience. and his death would be a distinct loss to the community. He was a good citizen and worked very hard for the welfare of his country.