J. H. ('Harry') Treseder Was in Big Rugby in 1885

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1949, Page 2

J. H. ('Harry') Treseder Was in Big Rugby in 1885

RESIDING at 51A Mill Road is one of Whangarei’s happiest “young” couples, Mr and Mrs J. 11. (Harry) Treseder. After 56 years of married life—Mr Treseder was 87 last Saturday—in which “we have both got to know each other’s good and bad ways,” the Treseders enjoy excellent health and radiate good humour. .

From the time he arrived in New Zealand in 1864, Harry Treseder has had an adventurous career, but, to harken back 85 years causes th>s sprightly octogenarian no concern. His reminiscences are amazingly clear. To have played representative Rugby football 64 years ago, represented Otago and Southland in the same year, played against Stoddart’s English team in 1688, become president of the Southland Rugby Union in 1913, and still be able to follow the fortunes of New Zealand football, is only part of his record. Mr Treseder was born at Beechworth, Victoria, in 1862. His father, who was assistant engineer and draughtsman to the Taffvui Railways in Wales, had emigrated to Australia and married an Englishwoman in Melbourne. News of tire finding of gold in New Zealand had tempted the elder Treseder,, and in 1862 he brought his wife and son to this country. GABRIELS GULLY He took part in the Gabriel’s Gully gold rush in Otago. He did not make his fortune, however, so joined the staff of the Lands and Survey and Public Works Department at Dundein where he remained for 40 years, A handsomely chased silver cup which adorns the Treseder mantlepieee today, bears testimony" to the “good eye” of the Welshman. Away back in 1867 he was a member of the City Guards Rifle Club in Dunedin. The cup was to become the property of any rifleman who won it two years in succession. Mr Treseder, senior, made no bones about making the trophy his own. He made doubly, sure by winning it four times.

Mrs Treseder also comes from an athletic family. “Yes, I’ve washed plenty of football pants in my time,” she said as she dispensed afternoon tea. Although they belonged to an earlier generation, the deeds of the Martin family on the Rugby field are still well-known to southern sportsmen. FOOTBALL FAMILY There were three Mar-tin brothers and they had three brothers-in-law. All six played for the Invercargill club and represented Southland at Rugby. Their associations with football did not end with their playing days. Three of them, including Mr Treseder, were presidents cf the Southland Rugby Union. Mr Treseder well remembers the type of football played in his days—the mauls-in-goal, the ‘“many forwards and few backs” formations, and the difficulties under which they played. •'There were no grandstands, dress-ing-sheds, or showers then,” said the veteran. “We hung our togs on shrubs and, if we wanted a bath, we went home for it.” lie also recalled, with a smile, that there were no doctors or ambulances in attendance. “They were tougher in those days and did not get hurt so often.” Mr Treseder first represented Otago In 1885 and for four years donned the dark blue jersey. In 1889 and 1892 he captained the Southland side. PLAYED AGAINST STODDABT Just before going to Invercargill in 1888 he was chosen to play for the South Island—“ South Island was New Zealand in those days”— against Stoddart's touring team .

Evidence that “young’’ Harry Treseder did not use up Iris surplus energy only by chasing the pig-skin in representative football games was found on the other side of the mantlepiece. STROKED ROWING CREW A cup, equally as handsome as that won by his sire, tells by its inscription that J. H. Treseder stroked an Otago rowing four to an important victory. "Work first caught up with me when I got a job with Robert Hay, a civil engineer at Dunedin.” said Mr Treseder when he was interviewed at his home. He shifted to Invercargill in 1888 awl remained there until 1910For a time the budding engineer was on the staff of a Mr Sharp until he joined the Lands and Survey and Drainage Department in 1891. In 1893 he married Miss Ellen Martin, daughter of the late Mr J. T. Martin, of Invercargill. Survey work in Southland took Mr Treseder all over the province in the pioneering and gold-mining days, and, a good deal of his time was spent in tlic remote and regions of the Southern Sounds. Through this dw.c, .i country, much of which is stiil unexplored, he blazed the track from Dusky Sound to Lake Manapouri. The famous Milford Track was alreadv open but came- under his supervision. DISCOVERED LAKE Lake Lochie, in the Sounds area, was discovered by Mr Treseder and named for a gigantic Scotchman who v/orked with the survey party. ‘TCeas used to frequent that country.’’ 3aid Mr ’Treseder. “They were very tame and you could almost touch them with your hand.’’ In 1916 Mr Treseder went to Hawke's Bay. From there he worked for the Rangitaiki Drainage Department until 1923. He retired to Oamaru in 1928 and came to Whangarci six years ago. In 1935 he spent 12 months in England.

Of present-day football Harry Treseder thought quite a lot. It was a set-move game compared with the free and easy style of other days. It was very attractive, however, and capable of producing as much recreation as the older game. He likes the brightness of the passing rushes and the team work, so well planned. ' “Those two Smith boys, of Kaikohe, play good football with perfect understanding,” said the young-old rep. Mr Treseder is considering making a trip to Invercargill to attend the diamond jubilee of the Invercargill Football Club later this month. Mr and Mrs Tresder had a family of three children. Mrs K. Harold (Kaikohe) is a daughter. One son, Mr Jack Treseder lives at Auckland and the other son (Mr H. Treseder), died recently at Christchurch. Both Mr and Mrs Treseder enjoy excellent health. “I hope to last for a long time yet. I'm not a “has-been,” I’m a “never-was,” said the lively 87-year-old.