Obituaries Australia

John Corbett Davis, for years a noted N.S.W. authority on cricket, died at Sydney on Sunday, aged 72. Under the name of "Not Out" he wrote the sport for the Referee for more than 50 years and was responsible for many improvements in the organisation of the game. Seeing the game languishing in the early nineties, he advocated very strongly its localisation and though the mighty Carlton team, which had practically the whole of the Colony's side on its ranks stood out, with others, for the opening season, they had to bow their heads.

He was first secretary and delegate of Paddington to the Association, and before official duties absorbed his time was a regular player, being a very fair bowler. He had previously been a member of the Ivanhoe club after leaving St Aloysius College, where he was a contemporary of the late J. J. Ferris, leading Australian left-hand bowler, late W. P. McElhone, first secretary of the Board of Control; late Will Lawless, boxing authority; and W. J. Camphin, old intercolonial batsman. His pen was largely responsible for supplementing Mr. McElhone's efforts to form the Board. He filled almost every position on the N.S.W.C.A. His writings also induced many other things that were for the betterment of the sport. It was the same in Rugby. District football almost owes its existence to him. He had leanings to the old Randwick Club but he saw a change would be beneficial and his advocacy strengthened the hands of those on the Rugby Union who favoured it.

Members of the NSW team on tour and the V.C.A. sent messages of condolence to the relatives of Mr. Davis.