NOTED BREEDER PASSES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2617, 26 February 1925, Page 4

NOTED BREEDER PASSES.

DEATH OF MR. S. B. LAN CASTER AFTER ILLNESS OF THREE WEEKS. By the sudden death last evening of Mr. Stephen Robert Lancaster, after an illness extending over a period of throe weeks, the Manawatu and the Do, minion has lost a most valued citizen and one of our most noted pedigree breeders. During the earlier period of his indisposition. Mr. Lancaster was not considered sufficiently ill to war. rant the anxiety of his friends, and it was not till near his peaceful end that feans were entertained for his safety. It was therefore a severe shock to his many friends to learn that he had passed away at a private hospital Hitherto a hale and hearty man, who had hardly known a day’J sickness in his life, the deceased con, tracted an internal complaint, which could not be cheeked, and was the cause of his sudden demise. The late 'Mr. Lancaster was born at Karori, Wellington, 63 years ago, and was the second son of the , late Mr. Stephen Lancaster, one of the earliest and best-known settlers In the Wol-. linglon Province. From his early youth the deceased followed closely In his father’s footsteps, and throughout his whole life was characterised by n busy cheerfulness and n keen sense of civic duty. After being educated at the Karori school, ho spent some years in his native district, and when entering manhood, came to Fox. ton in the ship Jane Douglas. At that time the Manawatu railway was not constructed, and on arrival at Palmer, ston North, Mr. Lancaster took part in the early settlement of the district, carving for himself and his young wife a home out of the bush at Pltzherbert, where he remained for many years.

Together with his fellow-settlers, he was forced to endure the privations and hardships associated with the life of the pioneer, but upon his holding at Fitzherbert be formed tbe nucleus Of an institution wh’ch was to mean much to the improvement of stockbreeding in the Dominion. In addition to his datry'ng pursuits, he built up a herd of pedigree stock, specialising In Jersey cattle, Southdown sheep, and Tamwrurth and Berkshire pigs, and during the past 25 years, had been recognised as one of the foremost breeders of Jerseys in the Dominion. His importations from Jersey Island, England and America were extensive, and the payment of big prices for the beat available stock was rewarded in tho result of his efforts in tho forma, tlon of a flrst.class herd. Seven years ago tho late Mr Lancaster removed to “To Matai,” Whakoronga, where he continued, by further heavy importations and careful culling, to improve and strengthen his herd.

In the show-ring, he was one of the most successful exhibitors known, and so great was his interest and enthusiasm that for many years he captured the points prize for tho greatest all-round exhibitor at tho Manawatu A. and P. Association’s shows. His judgment of stock had earned him a reputation which extended far beyond the shores of the Dominion, and in addition to judging at almost every show in New Zealand, his services were sought In various parts of Australia, whore his knowledge of the finer points of stock Judging were the subject of favourable comment. His trophies won from the exhibition of stock, number hundreds. Ho was also recognised as an authority upon horses. It was tho late Mr. S. R. Lancaster who, together with Mr Andrew Buchanan, worked towards the formation of the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association, which has done so much to stimulate Interest among farmers in the breed.

■ln his young days he played cricket or other field sports, but his Ufa was a full one, and the dauntless spirit of the worker was ever predominant The late Mr, Lancaster’s success In public Ufa Is shown by numerous records, which will live long after him. One of the chief institutions to which he was attached was the Manawatu A. and P. Association of which ho was a post president, and with Wh'ch he had been connected almost since its Inception many years ago. He was one of the oldest members of the general committee, and had been foremost In the list of workers who toiled unceasingly to ensure the success of the Association's show Particularly was he identified with the reception and dis. patch of stock, and was a member of the Winter Show committee. Strenu. ous work in connection with the Manawatu Hunt Club was shouldereo by the deceased gentleman, who was associated with the Initial activities ot the institution, and was at the time of his death, Its president. In the Knlranga County ho was one of the chief workers, and after sitting as a councillor for many years, was ele vated to the chair. His interest in the brooding of sheep was manifested by his holding the position of president of the New Zeeland Sheep Breeders Association, while he also held th? treasuroshlp of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board. With almost oven’ branch of local body work, the deceased was associated, among his other connections being the Manawatu Gorge Board of Control, and the Manawatu Racing and Trotting Clubs. For many years he sat at the Palmer, ston North Borough Council table and forsook the position of Deputy.’Mayor to Contest the Mayoralty two years ago. At that time, he occupied the position of the representative of the council on tho High Schools’ Board of Governors, and was the Government member at the time of his death. In church work the late Mr. Lancaster was well-known, being a member of the Vestry of St. Peter’s Church at Terraco End, and ass'attnig in many ways tho various snorts asso. clarions and educational Institutions in tho district. Mr. Lancaster leaves a wife and « sons and 4 daughters tn mourn h's loss. Tho sons are: Messrs Victor (Wriroa) Hugh. Alex, James, Arthur (Palmer, aton North), and Edward (Wnlrarapa): and the daughters: Morila.mea W. Anderson (Aokautere), W. Oll'vor fAshhnrst). and Misses Mlrlnm and Molly. Tho last-named la the youngest and Is 7 years old. ~ , , Tho funeral will leave the late residence of tho deceased at Whn.karonga. fit 1.30 p.m. to-morrow (Friday), for tho Palmerston North Cemetery.