Doyleston

LATE MR. E. McDERMOTT

Many old friends throughout the EUesmere district, and the of Doyleston in particular, heard with keen regret the news of the death of Mr Eugene McDermott, who collapsed while driving Colonel Grattan in the New Zealand Trotting Cup on Tuesday. Mr McDermott spent his boyhood and early manhood at Doyleston, where his father, the late Mr John McDermott, a former member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, was a resident for many years. Eugene followed the occupation of a stock dealer and operated over a large area with a good deal of success. He was an upright man in his business dealings and won the respect of those with whom he had transactions in stock. Quiet and unassuming he won wide popularity among all sections of the community. A good judge of stock and their values, he did not take a very active part as a trotting owner while he lived at Doyleston, although he was a keen follower of the sport and of the fortunes of a number of other prominent breeders and racing men in Doyleston at that time.

After his removal to the vicinity of Christchurch, Mr McDermott achieved distinction as owner, trainer and driver of trotting horses. He never forgot his old friends in the district and on many occasions useful information was passed on to them when he nad horses engaged at the trotting races. There were many Ellesmere people at the funeral this morning in Christchurch.