Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 68, 22 March 1937, Page 2

Obituary

MR. FREDERICK G. G. COUFER From Our Own Correspondent. HASTINGS, March 20. Alf Frederick George Grey Coup or, who was born, in Havelock North and lived for many years in Hawke’s Bay and the Mana'vatu, died recently at liis residence in Westbrook, Toowoomba, Australia, at the age of 63 years. Mr Couper was the sou of the late Mr W. A. Couper, of Kahuranaki Station, Hawke’s Bay, one of the curliest pioneers in the district.

Mr Couper, who was one of a family of twelve, was educated at Wellington College, Wellington, and at Christ’s College, Christchurch. Later he purchased a. property in the Manawatu, 16 miles from Palmerston North. He became a member of the Glen Orua Drainage Board, and was a member of the committee of th© Palmerston North Show Society. From Palmerston North, Air Couper moved to Australia, purchasing Westbrook Station, on the Darling Downs. Here lie commenced breeding fat lambs and stud Leicester and Southdown sheep. Later he devoted his attention to the breeding of high-class dairy :attle and Clydesdale horses. Ho imported the Clydesdale stallion, Dulto of Cornwall, from New Zealand, and was widely known in Australia as a breeder of cattle and Clydesdale horses. Some years ago he sub-divided the homestead portion of Westbrook station, and to-day there are a dozen thriving farms on the property. Jle also made a gift of land for the building of the Westbrook cheese factory. Although of a retiring nature Mr Bouper was well Bnown for his ready assistance and finance in supporting any progressive move, lie was also a seen member and enthusiastic worker j). the R.A. Society, being one of tho >ldost members of th© committee and [or many years a vice-president. He vas a familiar figure at the annual polo tournaments at Clifford Park, ft'here he acted as honorary timekeeper. Hr Couper was exceptionally well ver- , ied in the gam© and there were few setter judges of players or ponies than ae was.

Air Couper married Aliss Alary Lowe, third daughter of the late Mr W. Lowe, of Alasterton. He is survived Dy Airs Co-uper, one daughter, Mrs B’red AlacKenzie, of “Gruinard”, Hawke’s Bay, and three Bons, Alessrs Harryy L. Couper, Argyll, Hawke’s Bay, Mr Bruce Couper and Air R. H. Gouper, both of Westbrook, Australia. Mr Couper was buried in the Toowoomba cenetery.