OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 38, 13 January 1944, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR E. G. BEARD.

The death occurred recently after a short illness of Mr Ernest Graham Beard, of Rangiotu. Mr Beard was born in Greytown 60 years ago and on leaving school entered his father's business, later launching out on his own account as a building contractor. He took an active part in local affairs, becoming a member of the Borough Council and chairman of the Waiohine River Board. In 1916 lie took up farming at Raiigiotu, where he remained until his death. There he became associated with the Farmers' Union and the Uangiotu Hall Society, and was chairman of the Rangiotu Dairy Company for many years. Mr Beard was a life-long enthusiast of Rugby football. In his youth he represented Wairarapa for * many seasons and held office on the Wairarapa Rugby Union. While living at Rangiotu he coached the Huia Club, which won the Manawatu championship in 1919, and later the Oroua Downs Club, which held an unbeaten record in competition football for five seasons. This club also won the Manawatu seven-a-sidc tournament in 1931. His sporting interests extended to the turf as he bred and raced a horse.

As a member of the community and as a personal friend Mr Beard will be greatly missed in the district. Besides his widow, he leaves four sons—Mr Lindsay Beard, of Rangiotu; Mr Kenneth Beard, of Dannevirke; Mr Graham Beard (overseas), and Mr Don Beard, of Wellington—and one daughter—Mrs Frank Lasenby, of Matamata. There are three grandchildren.