The Late John Walker.

Manawatu Herald, 6 December 1902, Page 2

The Late John Walker.

The gentleman who lost his life in the fire at Aromoho the other day, was well-know up and down the coast and we are sure the following from the Wanganui Herald will be of interest:—

The deceased arrived in Wanganui in 1835, and has resided their every since. He was particularly well-

known racing circles throughout New Zealand, both as a breeder of Stock and as a trainer, and was well-known as “ the father ot horse racing” is Wanganui. He has at various times owned the finest blood horses in the colony, such as Peter Flat, Ravensworth, Traducer, St. Leger, and Vanguard, and was interested in many others equally wellknown on the turf. In the earlier days of Wanganui the late Mr Walker was perhaps best known as the proprietor of the Ararhoho Hotel and racecourse, where the great National Steeplechase was annually held for years, and right up to the time of his untimely death the old gentleman took a lively interest in the “ sport of Kings." As proprietor of the old Aramobo Hotel, the deceased catered for the Imperial officers of the troops, who were then stationed at Aramoho, and in this connection he acted as despatch rider between there and Wellington, He is credited with putting up the fastest time on the road to the Empire City, doing the distance in a little over eleven, hours, and having four changes of horses on the road. Before coming to the colony, tbs deceased, with his brother, the late George Walker, was a prominent figure in the hunting field and on the turf, and throughout New Zealand he has given many a display of his brilliant horsemanship. He was a M sport ” in every sense of the word, and In hie younger days was a cricketer of no mean order and a sprinter of repute. At the age of 70 he issued a challenge to run any man •f his age in the would 100 yards, thus showing that he still retained his physical powers, which, by the way, never failed him, for it was his proud boast that he never had a day's sickness in bis life. He instigated annual pleughing and pigeon matches in the palmy days ef Wanganui, and in many other ways promoted healthful outdoor exercises. As a taxidermist he had a colonial reputation, and there are hundreds of cases ot birds in New Zealand, the work of bis skilful hands. Ha had half-a-dozen cases of very choice birds in his room, which were destroyed, together with a fine large work on “Animated Nature," presented to him by Dr Buller, and a handsome silver stop watch, presented to him some years ago by the committee of the Christchurch Agricultural Show for services rendered by him as judge of draught stock at the great Canterbury fixture. Probably no man was better known on the coast than the late Mr Walker, who paid regular visits to old friends and settlers, with whom be was always welcome, and sincere regret will be felt at his sad end,