PROMINENT SETTLER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 95, 22 March 1932, Page 6

PROMINENT SETTLER

MR HUGH GILLIES.

EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY REACHED.

Congratulations from all parts of the Wairarapa and Manawatu distric ts were to-day extended to Mr Hugh Gillies, of “Edenkillie Park, Rangitikei Line, on the-occasion of his attainment of his 80th year. Mr Gillies is a foundation member of the Manawatu and West Coast A. Association and is the oldest surviving steward .of the Manawatu Racing Club. For many years he a prominent sportsman, and still retains a very active a , ss “^“** ol i J these organisations, looking forward vonrs of further service. His numerous friends will, wish him tho fulfilment of this anticipation after an already long and useful career. Recently members of both the A. and P. Association and the facing Club visited the home of Mr and Mrs Gillies as a gesture of their appreciation and printed them with a silver tea and coffee service. ..... , r „ Born in the Wairarapa district, Mr Gillies came to the Manawatu about half a century ago and foliowed the occupation of a buyer of-fat stock m the course of which.calling he led a very active and strenuous life. Those were the pioneering days and Mr Lillies regularly made Jong rides on horseback along the West Coast from Wellington to Taranaki. Cattle had to, be driven in arduous trips over the same route. Mr Gillies took up his residence on Rangrtikei Line some 26 years ago and wont into retirement about eleven years ago, but throughout he has always maintained his close practical interest with the two organisations which are nearest his heart —the A. and P. Association and Racing Club—to both of which he has rendered a life-time of service. THE FIRST A. AND P. MEETING. Recollections of the first meeting held in' order to form an A. and 1\ Association for this district are held quite clearly by Mr Gillies, who stated that it was hold in premises behind the present site of Coles Buildings in the Square, and Sir James Prendergast, then Chief Justice, was elected the first president. The site of the present Showgrounds was a very modest area wlien the inaugural exliibition was held. The Government held a section right in the middle, and it donated this, while small additions were made around it. There were plenty of tree stumps, but no fencing, and a few tents were erected. Subsequently the late Mr A. McHardy took up residence in the district and his generosity in guaranteeing £SOOO made possible the erection of the big grandstand which is a monument to his memory. Acquisitions- of land have since been made from time to time. INAUGURAL RACE MEETING.

Mr Gillies has also a vivid memory of the forming of the Manawatu Racing Club. He stated that the first race meeting was promoted by a contractor, and took the form of a sports gathering on an area of cleared ground near the present Showgrounds. Subsequently subscribers were enlisted and the late Mr W. Akers became the first president. Later, a. site for a racecourse was sought near the Hospital, but it was considered unsuitable, and a reserve adjacent to the Manawatu River was used for some years as a racecourse before Awapuni, then a natural clearing, was selected and acquired despite some opposition. It had proved to be' a sound transaction. The office of president in both the Racing Club and A. and P. Association has been held by Mr Gillies, who is a great lover of horses. Formerly he owned and raced quite a team '.including such performers as Orphan, Albert, and Urapai, and won many events. He exhibited horses with great success in the show-ring, these including Kangaroo (which was never beaten as a hack), Captain Glossop (now in retirement) and Puriri. Mr Gillies has a cherished collection of trophies to bring back reminiscences of those days. _ Mr Gillies at present owns a horse which will probably later be seen under colours.