OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21293, 12 October 1934, Page 16

OBITUARY

MR E. V. RIDDIFORD [THE PRESS Special Serrlct.] WELLINGTON, October 11. Private advice was received in Wellington to-night of the death at sea this morning, of Mr Edward Vivian Riddiford, of "Glenburn," and "Tablelands." Mr Riddiford was returning from a trip to England as, a passenger in the RangitikL which is due at Auckland on October 24, and was accompanied by his wife and his daughter, Miss Pamela Riddiford. One cf the Dominion's best-known and most successful pastoralists, Mr Riddiford, whose 'home is at Woburn, Lower Hutt, was equally prominent in racing circles. He was a notable participant and enthusiast—one of a family whose turf associations are part of the history of the sport in this country. Apart from his activities as a pastoralist and racehorse owner and breeder, Mr Riddiford was a widelyknown and popular citizen, a sportsman in the fullest sense, who played a large part in the social life of the community. His allegiance to racing did not overshadow his interest in golf and tennis, two pastimes with which he was most prominently identified. Beginning as a cadet on his father's properties, he had a long and successful career as a sheep farmer, first as estate manager and afterwards as owner.

Mr Riddiford was 55 years of age. He was born at Lower Hutt, the son of the late Mr E. J. Riddiford, and grandson of one of New Zealand's earliest pioneers, Mr Daniel Riddiford, who arrived in New Zealand in 1840. Mr E. V. Riddiford was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and began his career as a sheep farmer on his father's property, "Te Awaiti," in the Wairarapa. Later, he managed his father's properties, including "Longburn" and "Cheltenham."

Mr E. J. Riddiford died in 1911 and Mr Vivian Riddiford took over "Glenburn," a sheep and cattle run on the East Coast, "Tablelands," a Romney Marsh sheep stud in the Wairarapa, and "Brentwood," the noted Trentham racing stud. In 1908 he married Miss Zoe Thorne-George. third daughter of the Hon. Seymour ThorneGeorge, of Auckland. Their two daughters are Mrs J. Vogel, of Lower Hutt, %and Miss Pamela Riddiford. Mr Riddiford's brother, Mr Eric Riddiford, owner of the Orongorongo station, where he resides, was his partner in a remarkably successful racing career, during which they won a large number of the principal handicap races in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Cup, the Auckland Cup, and the Grand National- On his own account, Mr Riddiford was the holder of the Wellington Cup, the Mitchelson Cup, and other coveted racing trophies. Early in 1932 he retired from active participation in racing. A prominent clubman, Mr Riddiford was a member of the Wellington Club,, the Wellesley Club, the Northern Club ( Auckland), the Christchurch Club, Boodle's Club (London), and Princes Club (London). He was also a member of the Wellington and Lower Hutt Golf Clubs.