OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16190, 28 September 1914, Page 8

OBITUARY

HARRY PIPER. Mr Harry Piper, wiio cueu «,t C'hristchurch Hospital 011 Friday nignt, was a prominent figure m the sportrig world 01 tne 00mm.on (ssiys the Lyttoiton Times). Ho was born m London, unci oaane to New Zealand in tUe ship Clontan, settling in Canterbury. For several years he was engaged in larming, and then entered tho employ of Messrs K. J5. Manning and Co., of this city. He remained wita that firm for about six years, during which period he purchased tho DlO- - mare Venture, 'whom he hunted with tho C'hristchurch hounds. Subsequently he sold Venture to Mr W. Keith, from whom she passed to tho lato Mr William Douglas, of Hawke'e Bay, after sho had won steeplechases at Wangunui. Leaving Messrs Manning and Co.'s employ, Mr Piper leased an hotel on the Ferry road, and while there acquired the steeplechasers Beor Tax and Levant, which ho rode in many ev«ents, scoring several wins. Ho also owned at this time Ravenswood, Larry, and Linwood, all succeesful horses. For some time Mr Piper trained horses for "Mr Hammond" (racing name of the late Mr C. Hood Williams), and prepared, amongst other horses for tliat owner, Sultan, who won the Wellington Handicap, tho Dunedin Cup, St. Andrew's Handicap, the Canterbury Jockey Club Summer Cup, and other races in New Zealand. Sultan was afterwards purchased by tho lato Mr W. R. Wilson, of Victoria, and won some good races in Victoria, both on the flat and over hurdles. Mr Piper also devoted some of his time to tho trainand racing of trotting horses, and was handicapper and starter for Some of the trotting clubs in this district. His debut as a starter, however, was made at Plump ton, about two years before the death of Mr Sam Powell. Since that time ,ho has actcd as starter for the South • Canterbury. North Otago, Hawke's Bay, Dunedin, Canterbury, Napier Park, Gis borne, Christchurch, Wellington, Forbury, Ashburton, Geraldine, Woodville, Pahiatua, Akaroa, Dannevirke, Amberley," and other racing clubs. During 20 years or so as a starter Mr Piper started such crack horses as Advance, Cruciform,. MensohikofT. Multiform, Waiuku, St. Paul, Houhou, Nonette, Royal Artillery, Achilles, Boreas, and Wairiki. Amongst the most troublesome horses he had to start ho reckoned that Paladin, Boreas, Vladimir, Glenaladale, Float, Signalman, and Canteen were about the worst. Mr Piper was intensely practical in racing affairs, and studied closely tho characteristics of both horses and riders. He was a first-class starter, with or without a barrier, but he preferred thip barrier, as saving a great deal of time and trouble. For years past he had been recognised as the leading starter in tho dominion, and right up to tho end of his racing career he maintained a very high standard of proficiency. A few months ago he was taken ill, and spent some time in a hospital. He left his bed just before the Grand National meeting, but was not sufficiently recovered to officiate at that fixture. Ho had hopes cf returning to his duties at an early date, but at tho beginning of the present week ho again became very ill, and had to re-enter the hospital. He had a largo circle of friends, with whom he was very popular, and his death will be regretted by tho sporting fraternity throughout the dominion. Mr Piper was 69 years of age nt the''time of his death.