VETERAN OF RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21332, 5 November 1932, Page 12

VETERAN OF RACING

MR. SELBY'S BIRTHDAY : A VISIT TO ELLERSLIE Auckland's "grand old man" of hunting and racing, Mr. Arthur Selby, will be 87 years of age to-morrow. He will visit the races at Ellerslie to-day and on Monday. For years a familiar figure oil Auckland racecourses, where he was clerk oi the course, Mr. Selby retired to th» seclusion of his, Howick home two years ago. However, he still retains his love of horses and horse lacing. He still attends the Pakuranga Hunt meetings, not oa horseback, but by motor-car. His favourite pastime is bowling, although he admits ho would keep to cricket oi* tennis but for his age. He spends much of his leisure time in the garden and orchard, has an occasional game of billiards and still takei a keen interest in the pastimes of the young, as was demonstrated by his presence at the last Hunt Club ball. Mr. Selby was clerk of the course at Ellerslie for the Auckland Racing Club for 36 years. He acted in a similar capacity for the Avondale Jockey Club for a similar period, for thp Auckland Trotting Club at Alexandra Park for 16 or 17 years and for the Takapuna Jockey Club for 25 or 26 years. He was appointed huntsman to the Pakuranga Hunt in 1894 and filled the position for 22 years.