OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 100, 25 March 1930, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR ROBERT STEVENS. Unown always for his hardy, vigorous manhood, so typical of the settler apd stockman, of the early days, Mr Robert Stevens, a former resident of the Rangitikei and Manawatu, and in late years a farmer of Dannevirke, passed away yesterday after 80 years of life. His demise severed a personal link with the past and took further toll of the steadily thinning band of the pioneers. Bor.n on December.2, 1849, the late Mr Stevens soon acquired a reputation as a stockman on attaining man’s estate, and wag well known as a judge, trainer or rider of a good horse. He hunted wild cattle for their hides in the bush and flax swamps, and for three years in succession he owned and rode the three winning maiden hunters in the Wanganui Amateur Steeplechase. • During his early association with the Rangitikei district he was interested in a butchery establishment at Bulls. Later, he took up land in the Manawatu and began to deal extensively in stock. He was known as a shrewd and capable buyer who was one of the few men making a success of the business in those days. Fortyfive years ago he bought stock for Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., and in his dealings he drove large mobs of cattle to the const.

Paying a tribute to the late Mr Stevens to-day, Mr R. S. Abraham said that, although the deceased gentleman was not big in stature, he was large in heart, as many who had experienced his generosity well knew. After an acquaintance of over fifty years with the late Mr Stevens, he would say he was one of the most widely known men in the Manawatu, a man of straight principles, always reliable and ready to assist anyone. Horses and other stock were his whole life, and he was keenly interested in polo. Perhaps no official of the Manawatu Racing Club has had a more varied career in his associations with that body than the late Mr Stevens. He first took an active part in 1888, when he became a member of the committee. In 1891 he acted in the capacity of starter at the March meeting and clerk of scales at the December meeting. In 1893 he was appointed honorary timekeeper and ho carried out the duties of that office until the end of 1920 when he was appointed a life member after 32 years of service.

The late Mr Stevens joined the committee of the Manawatu _ and West Coast A. and P. Association in 1889. He was vice-president in 1909, twenty years later, and became a district member in 1912, while he was on the committee from 1913 to 1916 when he left to reside in Dannevirke. He was always a staunch supporter of the association and had its interests at heart, being greatly esteemed by all the old committee members and supporters. Besides his stock dealings, the late Mr Stevens farmed for 25 or 30 years in the Manawatu before leaving for Dannevirke. During the past year he had been in failing health and his death this week terminated a life of marked activity. He is survived by his widow and family and a number of grandchildren. The interment took place to-day in the private burial ground at Parewanui.