OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR W. GARDINER The intimate friends of -Mr William Gardiner, of Papakaio, North Otago,' will not be surprised to learn of his death yesterday, for since a paralytio seizure about a, year ago suddenly put a stop to all his activities‘his condition was very serious. His passing is a great loss to Otago, for he was one of our most enterprising farmers, full of initiative, tireless in community work, full of joy and friendliness. He was born at Papakaio in 1868, the only son of Mr William Gardiner, of Island Cliff, Ngapara, and from boyhood _ was brought up to farming. He married in 1894 the youngest daughter of Mr John Nimrao, of West Taieri. Their residence was The Grange, Papakaio, which, originally consisted or 240 acres purchased from Robert Stewart, but was increased by the purchase of 550 acres of first-class land adjoining. Mr Gardiner specialised as a breeder and exhibitor of Clydesdale horse?, and won many prizes with Cedric the Saxon,Agitator, Sandy Erskine, _ and other / famous stallions and their progeny.He was also an authority on farming in general, and his practical knowledge was of service to the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Horse racing was his hobby. He always had one or more thoroughbreds in training. John Barleycorn was one of the best known. His last win was with Waving Corn- in the Farewell Handicap at the Dunedin Cup Meeting. He gave v much time to the affairs of the Waitaki County Council (of which he was chairman), the Oamaru Jockeiy Club, and other /ocal bodies, and was in all ways a real worker and a generous patron of whatever made for the public good. His cheerfulness was quite phenomenal. Even after his legs had been amputated he got qbout freely and was irreprea*. sibly' lively until suddenly laid low.