MR. RICHARD CROKER

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4467, 21 September 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

MR. RICHARD CROKER

HIS ENGLISH PROPERTY. On entering the Tillage of Letcombe, near Wantage, one of the hist houses one sees is the Moat House, a square, white building, with two towers, a verauaan running round the front, and a conservatory at the side, standing well back Iroiu the road in its own grounds. It is a historic house, and as one would gather from its name, is surrounded by a moat, and is approached by bridges over it. In the time of King John it is said to haye been a Royal hunting box. It ie now some years ago since this property was acquired by Mr Croker, and since that time he has spent a great deal of his time there, the little Berkshire village forming an ideal spot for rest and quiet after the excitement of political life in_ New York. Mr Croker is a man of medium height, with iron grey beard and moustache, and a well-knit frame, which gives an impression of great personal strength. He lives a very quiet life at Letcombe, mixing very little with his neighbours, and entertaining very few friends, save at his occasional week-end parties, but he is a liberal subscriber to all local charities, and helps generously in any local undertaking. lie keeps a very small establishment, which, till'quite recently, consisted of a housekeeper and his butler, a great contrast to the life he must lead, and the position he must keep up, in New York. Although he comes to Lngland for rest and quiet, never taking any interest in dr interfering at all with our English politics, the American journalists are ever on his track. Although he almost invariably refuses to gee them, nothing daunts them, and occasionally one or other of them have made their exit from the house in a somewhat undignified manner, assisted by its owner. When Mr Croker does by chance submit to an interview, it is always very unsatisfactory work for the interviewer, for the Boss will talk on almost any subject but the one which he is most wanted to give his views upon; on that theme he is wholly dumb. He has recently refused to allow photographs of abuse f and his English property to be publined, these having been eagerly sought after in America. When in England 3' r Croker cultivates to the full his great love of animals, and at one time he had at his Letcombe home a number of St. Bernard dogs, his celebrated bull-dog “Rodney Stone” (the champion of the world) and “Bromley Crib” besides some pupa of the same sort, and some lovely priae catsHis love for horses is too well known to bo commented on. The arrangements inside the Mbit ilouse are as comfortable as the modern American, assisted by great wealth; knows how to. male* them. It is warmed throughout oh; the American system of'hot: air, 1 and furnished in excellent taste, the diningroom is panelled with oak, and (acme of up-to-dateness) th’e drawing-room has an electric piano. Standing in the pictur. asqua vale of the White Horse; surrounded by trees, with an old "rookery" close to the. house, the Moat House hag_ always been a charming property, but within the lest few months Mr Croker has been able to buy land to the extent of some hundred# of acres round it, and at the present time great improvements are . going on- ; By purchasing two old mills ■ ho has been enabled to mafca a most picturesque drive round to the - house without entering the village, and ha is employing great gangs of men in digging out a huge lake wbicnS when complete, will be large enough sor boating, and will add enormously to the value and appearance of the property. THE “BOSS."

In all these great undertakings Mr Croker is employing local tradesmen wherever it is passible, and in this way is conferring a great benefit on the neighbourhood. He is a keen business man. and will have ni« work done properly and promptly; and if those with whom he deals fulfil-these re. quirements,; he invariably employs them again,: but if once anyone tries to impose on him he does not forget it. When he is solicited for orders he usually eaye that if the man who asks him can supply him with a good article at a fair , price ha is willing to accede to his request. He is constantly to be seen among the men who are doing his work, giving instructions, and constantly changes his mind as to what shall be done, 'but he is not afraid to,take off his coat and show them that he,, too, can work with the best of them. At present these alterations are his great hobby, and he is seldom absent from his home for long. In tho matter of horseflesh Mr Croker is very particular; ho will drive a good »nimal, and if one of his hags fails to pleas# him it' must bo sold at once. When'he first came over bo used to ride a great deal, but since ho broke his log a few years ago. while on hie way to. a Meet, he has mostly driven. He is a splendid band with the.ribbons, and drives about among the steep Berkshire hille with his fast-trotting American horses at a pace which those who are with him and are not used to each a Jehu are apt to regard with considerable fear.'; In this art ha is closely followed by hie. sen. Hr Bertie;Croker. who recently took the first prise iwa drivipg competi. tion at Farringdon. Berks, from a vary representative assembly. When Mr Croker first caine over toEnglandhis horses were trained by Morton, of Hetcombe, and later by-Stanley., but seme few years since he decided to try an American trainer, and sent over for Wishard and Duke {who have since' dissolved partnership) and they came to Wantage. One of those who came over Witb Wisbard was little Johnny Boiff,- 1 the famous jockey, then a mere child, who had as yet hardly ever bean oa a horse. - The American plan did not work, and it was finally decided that ail Me Croker’e horses should be trained at Newmarket, and only the Stud Farm should be at Let. combe; Adjoining the Meat' House are some splendid stables all fitted with the best modern improvements and lighted by electric light, and hara a few of the valuable animals are kept. Mr Croker’e fortunes on the Turf, have not boon nearly so grast as his labours deserve, for..be spares no trouble and expense in the management of bie great stud. But lately things, by dint of great perseverance and the addition of many and valuable horses to his stud, have been going much better. Among- the bast-known of .His horses are Bhoda 8.. The Scotchmen 11.. Harrow, Minnia Dee Americas, Knickerbocker. Viper and. the great American champion, Bobbins, who is now at tho Stud Farm. —“M.A.P."