OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mr. T. R. Moore Tin- deal 11 occurred on Tuesday of Mr. Thomas Richard Moore, of “Waimarama,” Terrace End, one of Palmerston North’s best known citizens, states a “Dominion” Special Service message. Tlie late Mr. Moore was the only son of tlie late Dr. and Mrs. Moore, two of Canterbury’s earliest pioneers. Born at Salisbury, England, Mr. Moore came to New Zealand as a boy of six years witii his parents and tlie other members of the family, in 1850. On the completion of his education at Christ’s College, Christchurch, lie entered the service of the Union Bank. During tlie years that lie spent in Canterbury he distinguished himself as a cricketer and an athlete. His prowess on tlie cricket field gained for him a place in tlie Canterbury representative team which played against the English team in 1564, the first overseas team to visit these shores, and he again played against the 1877 team. Among his treasured mementos of those days were a bat which the All-England team presented to him as the third highest contributor in the match; an inscribed cricket ball which lie won for throwing it a distance of 117yds. 2ft. Un. in 1873, and.a collection of silver cups ami pewter mugs/for his activities on Hie athletic field. Mr. Moore held the 440 yards hurdles championship in the years 1871-72-73, and he also demonstrated ability as a sprinter. Me was also a member of the Christchurch boating and cricket clubs. In 1874 Mr Moore joined with his brother-in-law, Mr. F. 11. Meinertzhagen in partnership in the Waimarama sheep station, in Hawke’s Bay. the station at that time being of 35,000 acres, and carrying 13,000 merino sheep. In those days Hastings was unknown, and the only means of access to the station was by pack horse. To ship their wool, arrangements had to bo made for a coastal vessel to drop anchor off the coast, and tlie wool was taken out on surf boats, yet despite the difficulties that had to be overcome, Mr Moore had the satisfaction of topping the London market for his wool on one occasion.

In 189 G he married Miss Elizabeth G. Coutts, eldest daughter of Mrs. Eleanor and the late Mr. Joseph Coutts, of Palmerston North. Although he immediately established a home at Palmerston North, it was not until 1909 that he retired from his active pursuits In Hawke's Bay. Although he took no active part in public affairs, Mr. Moore maintained his interest in cricket, and he bad occupied the position of patron to the Mnuaivatu Cricket Association. He was a staunch supporter of St. Peter’s Church. For many years lie had boon tt keen observer of weather conditions.

Mr. James Gibbs The death occurred at I’atea this week of Mr. James Gibbs, at the age of 84 years, states a “Dominion” Special Service message from Wanganui. Mr. Gibbs was one of the oldest residents of tiie district. His father was one of the early settlers of the Nelson district. For several years the late Mr. James Gild's was chairman of the Patea County Council, of which he was a member from 1914 to 1929. He was a member of the West Patea Road Board and was chairman of the Kakaramea Dairy Company. Ho was the founder of tiie Alton Dairy Company and its first chairman of directors. He was largely responsible for the establishment of the Alton school, public hall and library. .Mr. Gibbs was predeceased by his wife two and a half years ago.