DEATH OF "DARBY" RYAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1927, Page 9

DEATH OF "DARBY" RYAN.

ATHLETE OF FORTY TEARS AGO. NOTED FOOTBALLER AXD YACHTSMAN. The death occurred to-day of Mr. T. Pi an. of Ukupu Bay. Urea: Barrier, abo is widely knoxn amongst the older generation of footballers and yachtsman a- "Darby" Ryan. He was une of the notables of Rugby football in Auckland -V* years ago. wlicn he flayed for tie (Jrafton Club. He won provincial repre«-entat i\e honour' in l*>tZ-3-»!i->». and in I*S4 »i« a member of "be rir-t New Zealand Kugby ream To tour Australia. That team, captained by W. V. Million, of C aT-t.erbu-'-y. plared eight matches and won them all. Other AnrKlander* in the team were Joe War-brw-k. «.. Carter. .1. La- ky and T. B. U"< <»nnor. Of quiet and gentle demeanour, a* he was widely know n in recent rear*. "Darby"* Ryan did not impress one a* the hero of football matches in ix roaring eighties, a hen the game, was more robu-l than nui-. but hi- contemporaries wi'l tell you he was alwavs a quiet, gentlemanly fellow. A gift for long and high kicking was his specialty at the game, and there are stories told even yet of him winning club. interprovincial and international games

by bis kicking prowess, anil of or.rios.njz forwards bauiked of their gams bv Ryan's sky-scraping -a\e.. Notable rontemporaries of lu- in Rugby acre Bob W~hite,ide. Joe Warbrick * and Jack Arneil. the la-t-named being now president of :; ; e Auckland Ruyby l'r,; (l n. Like m>i athletic v.iujj .»u<-fclajjd*T« of his time. "Darby" Ryan was a keen >ach;»man. and be continued to Lake [•art in yachting long alter bis Rugbv playing days were pa,;.. A passion fo'r oii painting took h:m to the Pan. slud.o* for a time, ami Utcr. » nen be bad | returned to New Zealand. ar.d was engaged in launching on Lake Tau;.,.. tbe glorious scenic !«eauties of the Auckland province"* water*ca;.e« were sublets for his brush in studies thai arctreasured uy many of his friend*. i A heart strain some Tears ago c-,rr.-j pelled Air. Kyan to ? v« a * p the strenuou* pna.se* ot yachting and launching and MaUerly be bad been living quiel'v aJ his home at Ukuj.u Bav. ~n the <',-t- a - Barrier ]«Land.