Obituary: Arthur Hughes

Arthur Hughes OBE, JP. All Black, racing industry leader. Died aged 80

At first sight Arthur Maitland Hughes might simply be regarded as the archetypal New Zealander - immersed in rugby, racing and beer.

A keen race-goer, Hughes became vice-president, then president of the Auckland Racing Club, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference and a fighter for the good of the sport.

He moved from bottom to top of the family liquor firm, Hughes and Cossar, and was a splendid hooker for Grammar Old Boys, Auckland and the All Blacks from 1947 to 1950 before he retired, at 26, to concentrate on business.

Hughes had the rare distinction of playing for the All Blacks before representing his province. After he came back from wartime Navy service overseas, the All Blacks returned from an Australian tour for a match against Auckland with both their hookers, Has Catley and Jim McCormick, injured.

So Hughes was invited to play for the All Blacks against his home province and in 1949-50 played his six tests, including all four tests against the 1950 British Lions (a series won 3-0 by New Zealand, with one test drawn).

Such details do not truly measure his character. He spread widely his humour, geniality and philanthropy, especially to the benefit of old Navy mates, the Waitemata rugby club and the Barbarians.

"Just a champion bloke, a real gentleman who helped us in many ways, as well as coaching our team from second to first grade," says Wally Jellicich, a Waitemata stalwart.

Hughes also cherished his Navy reunions, which often used transport, accommodation or drinks he provided anonymously.

He and his great friend, the late George (Gun-boat) Nelson, changed the course of the Barbarians club. Back in the 1950s and '60s the club never had a home, or any money, says Murray Menzies, a Baa-baas life member.

"As players we had to chip in for petrol money when we went away, and there was only a token membership fee.

"We saw that a small house in Cricket Avenue, next to Eden Park, was for sale. But we had no money. The price from memory was about £13,000 and no one seemed very keen to lend us the money."

So Hughes and Nelson raised the money and bought the house for the Barbarians, news which to their surprise reached the typewriter of the Herald's Terry McLean.

Hughes was cousins with All Black great Kevin Skinner. The two became close friends and both settled in West Auckland.

Arthur Hughes is survived by his wife Jean, son Wayne and daughters Joanne and Dinah.

* The funeral service for Arthur Hughes will be held at 11am today at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell.