AIR W. D. SNOWBALL

Evening Star, Issue 20985, 26 December 1931, Page 8

AIR W. D. SNOWBALL

A few days ago the intimate friends of Mr William Dempster Snowball were informed, on calling at his residence in Massey avenue, St. Clair, that he was doing fairly well, though confined to his room; but his lengthy had brought about weakness and he died on Christmas Eve. His passing will bo sincerely mourned in Dunedin and further afield, for he was a “ straight ” man in the fullest meaning of the ter in, highly in his profession, and withal companionable, ready to think the best of and do his best for his fellows. It was about the end of May that he was taken ill, pleurisy following a chill. After a fortnight he insisted on getting up and about, and ho kept going, with difficulty, till _ September, when complications made it necessary to lay up. Mr Snowball was born at Huntly, m Aberdeenshire, sixty-eight years ago, and was educated at the _ Gordons School. He took his degree in London at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1884. and went to Australia in 1887, practising at Ballarat. In 1897 he was appointed manager of the Dunedin City Abattoirs, the first abattoirs to commence operations in Hew Zealand. Later he joined the Department of Agriculture, and for thirteen years held the position of district superintendent of the veterinary division for Otago and Southland. Upon his retirement in September, 1929, Mr Snowball again became manager of the Dunedin City Abattoirs, a position which he held up till the time of his death. He was a, vice-president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and honorary veterinary surgeon to the Dunedin Jockev Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club for many years. During tlio war ]io was lieutenaut-col-onel of the New Zealand Veterinary Corps. He was well known as a bowler, being in the Caversliam Club for a tune and subsequently in the St. Clair Club. In the exercise of bis profession lie was brought into contact with racing owners and trainers, who frequently consulted him as to the complaints of their horses and had the fullest confidence In his skill and probity. Mrs Snowball survives her husband, and the family consists of a son and two daughters.