OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21727, 9 March 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MB G. E. RHODES q?hp death qcpurred early yesterday morning at his residence, “Beverley,” Clyde road, after a long illness, of Mr George Edward Rhodes, 0.8. E., a brother of Sir K. Heaton Rhodes, and for many years well known as, a breeder of Berkshire pigs, Southdown sheep, and Clydesdale horses M R ie Ellesmere district. Mr Rhodes was 69 years old. # He was a son of Mr R. H. Rhodes, and was born at Christchurch in 1866. He was educated at Christ s College, where he took a prominent part in school sports activities. In 1883 he was a member of the first fifteen and the first eleven, and was swimming champion in 1883-84. After leaving Christ’s College in 1884 Mr Rhodes went to Brasenose College, Oxford. There he rowed in the college boat, and in the head of the river and tnal eights. He was also ninth man for the Oxford University eight and represented his college at Rugby, assoplation football, and cricket. In 1890, after his return from Oxford, Mr Rhodes bought the Meadowbank estate at Irwell, which had an area of 1000 acres. Extensive improvements were carried out to the property, which had the reputation of having the best men s quarters in New JScalaqd. While at Irwell Mr Rhodes was renowned for his splendid Berkshire pigs and Southdown sheep, many of which were mu ported. He was also well known for his Clydesdale horses. In 1897 some of Mr Rhodes’s Berkshires were exhibited and won 30 first, 20 second, and three special prizes. ’‘Meadowbank” was chiefly devoted to fattening stock, and for this purpose the estate was diyided into 23 paddocks, which fiad plantations to protect the stock. About 19X4 Mr Rhodes sold his property at Irwell and went to live at “Beverley,” Clyde road, where he lived pntjl his death. During the Great War Mr Rhodes took a very active part in Red Cross work, for which he w & s aw ar ded an 0.8. E. A Red Cross shop in Cathedral square, which during the war period made between £20,000 and £25,0Q0, was established by Mr Rhodes, with others. Mr Rhodes was working at the shop practically every, day iq the week except Sunday, and his home was also in constant use by convalescent soldiers. Iq this Work he was assisted very much by his wife. Another subject in which Mr Rhodes was interested was military work, and he took a leading part in instructing contingents leaving for the South African War. He was a lieutenant in the cadets in 1903. Later he joined the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, in which he became a captain fir 19R7. Mr Rhodes was alsq, keenly interested in golf, being a member of the Christchurch Qolf Club, of which he was captain in 1913 and vice-president in 1911 and 1912. Other bodies in which he held office were the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was president in 1896, and patron at the time of his death, a position which he had held for many years; and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he wfis at different times a vice-president, and also a president. Duck-shooting and fishing were favourite pastimes qf Mr Rhodes.

Mr Rhodes was married to Miss Ellen Laura Amy Perry, of Timaru, in 1890. His wife died several years ago. One daughter, Mrs B. H. Howell, “Matata,” Cave, South Canterbury, survives him. As a mark of respect the flags of the Canterbury Club and the Christchurch Golf Club were flown at half-mast yesterday. Officers of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry will act as pall-bearers at the funeral, which will be held at 2 p.m. to-morrow. The burial will take place at the Riccarton churchyard. *