OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 18

OBITUARY.

MR ROBERT FRANCIS CKOSBIE

The sudden death yesterday of Mr Robert Francis Crosbie has recalled to the minds of many who were connected with rowing in Canterbury in. the last century, the all-too-short career of New Zealand's greatest pair of oarsmen—Crosbio and Samuels, who for three years in succession won tho NewZealand champion pairs and doublesculls races. Their performance has never been equalled, and to-day old oarsmen reflect with delight on the rowing of the two Christchurch stalwarts. Mr Crosbie, who was 03 years of age at bis death, commenced his rowing with tho Union Club when a young man. For a time he rowed unsuccessfully, but in 1892 Mr W. Atack (a present member of the Canterbury Rowing Association) started to coach him and fcwmuels, and in that year Crosbie stroked the four-oared crew successfully at the Christchurch regatta. r Both men were splendidly built physicallv, .and soon became unbeatable with the'sculls. In the same year (1892), with W. F. iSamuels (who stilt lives in Canterbury), Crosbie won the champion pairs and double sculls races. In 1893 ho stroked the Union Club's senior four, rowing second to Lyttelton in tho New Zealand championships on tho Waimakariri, at Kaiapoi. It was at this regatta that the pair first won the New Zealand champiort pairs and double sculls, and for tho two succeeding years—m 1894 and 1895 —they repeated this performance. No other pair has been able to win both events three times in succession, in the history of rowing in New Zealand, and such a splendid record has often been advanced in support of the contention that had tho two men been taken abroad, and fully trained, nothing could have stopped them from becoming a world champion pair. Following their great success in championships, Crosbie and Samuels continued to win events in tho two classes in local regattas. They were never defeated in a racing shell. In about 1896 Crosbie left the Union Club to join the Christchurch Amateur Rowing Club, and with Clarke Neal won a number of pair-oared and doublesculls races for the club. Samuels later joined the Avon Club, and was successful with C Ebert as his partner. Before the beginning of the present century Crosbio gave up active interest in rowing. He has lived in Christchurch since, and for some years was employed by the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. About eight years ago he was struck on tho head and seriously injured by a wool-press, and had never fully recovered.

His death took place at his home at 2 "Winton street, St. Albans.

The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon at Avoiiside.

MR J. W. SMITH

Mr John William Smith, a resident of Kaikoura for many years, died yesterday. Mr Smith was born in Blenheim in 1863. More than CO years ago ho wont to Kaikoura, where ho spent tlio remainder of his life. Tn his younger days he t«ok a keen interest in sport, mora particularly in axemeirs events. Mr Smith was married to Miss Matilda Stretch in 1885. His wife died a year ago. There were ten children of the marriage. He is survived by thred daughters, Mrs Murray, Mrs A. Luugesen, Mi»s Agnes Smith, ::nd four sons. Messrs James, "William, Edward, and Berni© Smith.