OBITUARY

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1692, 3 January 1936, Page 5

OBITUARY

WAIKATO’S FIRST “ALL BLACK” Mr. C. R. B. Speight, of Hamilton A businessman well known in the Morrinsville and Waikato districts over several decades, Mr. Charles Richard Barton Speight, died at Hamilton recently, aged 65 years. Mr. Speight was the second son of Sergeant-Major L. Speight, and, was born in Auckland. For many years he was associated with the Atkins coachbuilding firm at Hamilton East. Mr. Speight was prominent in many forms of athletics, and was Waikato’s first “All Black.” He was followed by G. Gillett, A. E. Cooke, J. Leeson and J. Wynyard. Mr. Speight was an enthusiastic bowler, though he was unable to attain the degree of play on which his heart was- set, owing to bad health for many years. Always a cheery and generous soul despite his disability,, he was the essence of cheerfulness on the Morrinsville bowling green two weeks ago, when he represented Claudelands.

“ Copper ” Speight will be remembered by many, mainly through his association with football as a player and later as a keen supporter of Waikato. He never missed a game unless precluded by illness.