SUDDEN DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 13

SUDDEN DEATH

ME. 8,. T. EEID HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN LEADING TURF FIGURE [by TELEGRAPH —OWN' correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday The dentil occurred suddenly this morning of Mr. Richard Thomas Reid, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and one of the best known figures in racing and trotting in the Auckland Province.

Mr. Reid, who was about 57 years of age, had entered his car at his stud farm in Hukanui Road, near Hamilton, and was about to drive into the town when he collapsed and died. No inquest will be held, as his medical attendant in Auckland was able to certify to tho cjiuse of death. For many years proprietor of the Hamilton Hotel, Mr. Reid had previously been licensee of the Waikato Hotel, and earlier still" of the Waiuku Hotel. Xiast October, when the Hamilton Hotel property changed hands, he removed to Auckland, but retained an interest in the business. He owned farm properties at Hamilton and Waiuku.

Mr. Reid was elected to the Auckland Harbour Board in 1929 as representative of the combined Boroughs of Hamilton, Cambridge, Xgaruawabia and Te Awamutu, which returned him at every successive election iintil his death. He served as deputy-chairman in 1935 and 1936, and again for the 12 months prior to May last, when tho board elected him chairman in succession to Mr. W. B. Darlow. He took a prominent part in the recent welcome to the flying-boat American Clipper on her arrival to inaugurate the transpacific air mail service.

Long interested in both racing and trotting, Mr. Reid had been for nearly 30 years a member of the Waikato Racing Club, and a steward and committeeman for 13 years. At the time of his death he was president the Waikato Trotting Club, which Airing his term of office made marked progress, and became one of the strongest country trotting clubs in the Dominion. At one period of his career he was chief stipendiary steward for the New Zealand Trotting Conference. Mr. Reid was particularly well known as a breeder of racehorses, and much of his stock was by prominent Australian sires from mares which he sent across the Tasmaiv Among the horses which he owned were Royal Artist, which won the Mitchelson Cup and the "Wellington Cup in the 1932-33 season; Prince of Orange, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles in 1936; Tea Trader, which carried off the Auckland Racing Club's Royal Stakes in 1932 and was later sent to .America; and High Comedy, winner of the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes in 1931. At the time of his death he was owner of Royal Bachelor, Beau Repaire, Whirling, Olympus and Marshall Hall. Among trotters raced by him were Eccentric and Miss Rolfe.

As president of the Hamilton Wrestling Association, of which he was a foundation member, Mr. Reid was present at the professional bout between John Katan and Dan O'Connor at Hamilton the night before his death. Mr. Reid is survived by his wife, who has been visiting Sydney and is expected to return to Auckland this afternoon by the flying-boat Aotearoa. Final arrangements for the funeral, which will take place on Monday, will not be made until her arrival.

MINISTER'S TRIBUTE

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

Regret at the death of Mr. R. T. Reid was expressed yesterday by ttie Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, who is visiting Auckland. Mr. Parry said that the community had been much indebted to Mr. Reid for his public services, and for his example as an upholder of the best principles in the world of sport. Before leaving Wellington he had arranged for Mr. Reid, as chairman of the Harbour Board, to attend a conference on Monday for the discussion of some matters of importance to the physical welfare movement in Auckland.