Obituary

Press, 22 September 1987, Page 18

Obituary

Mr R. J. Huria

Mr Russell John Huria, the man who scored the first try at Rugby Park, died last week in Kaiapoi. He was 78.

Mr Huria, a keen fisherman,. died while launching his boat before daylight Mr Huria was born in Tuahiwi. His working life was always with wool. In 1926 he began six years of work at Walkuku, then spent 41 years as supervisor of the wool section of North Canterbury Farmers works at Kaiapoi.

Gardening and fishing were life-long hobbies. A memorable whitebait season for him was 1953, when he drag-netted 253 pounds in hours in the Ashley River. Mr Huria was also a dedicated bandsman, playing in the Kaiapoi Brass Band from 1928 to 1985. He was well known for his encouragement of young musicians.

Mr Huria was also well known for his involvement with rugby. One of

the highlights of his playing career was being opposite number to the famous fullback, George Nepia, for the South Island Maoris in the 1931 Prince of Wales and Te Mori Rosebowl. South Island won, 10-9, with a last-minute dropped goal. In 1930-1931 he played for Albion, in Christchurch, which included playing as centre in the first match on Rugby Park. Mr Huria opened the scoring with a try. In 1932 he captained the Woodend senior team io a competition win, beating Glenmark in the final, 11-5.

j An injured knee meant tie later took up coaching for the Kaiapoi Rugby Club which he had joined in 1924. From 1937 to 1949 he continued to coach. In 1938 he was club captain, and in 1949 he was made a life member.

Mr Huria is survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.