OBITUARY

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1005, 13 June 1947, Page 3

OBITUARY

1 ... .. ; MR, FRED BURT ” The death has occurred of one of the most widely-known, residents in the Bay of Plonty in the person of Mr. Fred. Burt, of Matdta. Mr. Burt died suddenly from a heart seizure while watching, a football match/ He was in his 76th. year. Although Mr, Burt has taken a great interest , in public affairs in the Bay. of Plenty, it was probably as a sportsman that he was most generally known. As a young man he was an-outstanding footballer, cricketer and tennis player.and it was only a few years ago that he ceased taking an active part in competitive tennis. In Jater years Mr. Burt devoted himself to taking a very keen interest in Rugby football and for many years he was a leader in the Rangitaiki Union, The fortunes of tho Iluriiiui Apaiiui Memorial Shield were closely followed by Mr. Burt, who did not miss many of these games. Second son of the. late Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Burt, the deceased was born at Thames in. the year 1872 and received his first schooling at Karangahake, at one time a prosperous mining town in the Waihi Gorge.

His now famous scrap book contains cuttings of school sports held at' Cambridge between 1880 and 1886 where he and his brother, the late Mr. H. W, Burt, virtually scooped the pool and remained supreme in athletics until February of the latter year when the family moved to- Matata, the Tarawera eruption year.

School days' in Matata. meant a resumption of further triumphs on tho running- track. Around the Bay towards the close of the last century, sports meetings were numerous and popular, the prize money attracking New Zealand’s premier sprinters. In these events and up till around 1006 Mr. Burt was a dominant figure. In an exhibition pole jump at a sports meeting held a.fc Tun.eatua he tied with Horr Druera the then Australasian pole vault champion. For this event Mr. Burt used an ordinary willow sapling and cleared 10ft. Sin. Further .proof of his versatility was that during his sports career lie started in and won 56 sack races. Also a very strong swimmer seven people owed their lives to liis skill in the water.

Rugby football was liis early and lasting- love. At the age of 17 lie represented Tauranga against Auckland. Tauranga, virtually a Bay of Plenty team, lost this mutch 5—3,

J\h. Buu played for Tauranga and Rotorua for a number of years. The records describe him in liis prime as being a brilliant tlirecquartcr and a most reliable long and short-range goal kicker. A member' of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union since its inception in 1911-12, selector for seven, years, present patron. He was elected a life member in 1934.

Mr. Buifc_was president of the Bay of Plenty Referees’ Association for seven years. Ho was patron at the time of his death. In 1936 he was made a life member.

He 'was president of the Rangitaiki Rugby Sub-union since its inception in 1923-24 and was. a selector for a number of years. He was elected Jifc member in 1030. Mr. Burt was equally outstanding at summer sports. Until well into the veteran stage lie was aaioug the first flight in the Bay tennis world. At the age of 51 he scored a sensational singles win over a very fine and hitherto unbeaten newcomer, Mr. Powdrell. In his 54th. year when partnered by Mr. Peter Campbell the New Zealand veterans’ doubles championship came his way. His tennis ■career extended over 37 seasons followed by years of service on the administrative side.

Mr. Burt was regarded as a cricketer of merit. A splendid bowling analysis maintained year after year gave him an almost Grimmctt-like reputation among would-be rungetters. He represented the Buy of Plenty in all mutches up to 1031 and was captain of the Matata team for 33 years. At the age of 04 he appeared for the Bay against Auckland Colts at Eden Park. Mr. Burt was president of .the Bay of Plenty Cricket Association for seven years and the Bay SubAssociation for a long perod. Prominent in Public Affairs A farmer by occupation, Mr,. Burt displayed an early interest in public affairs. Elected to the Whukalano County Council ill 1000 he held office consecutively for 47 years which must be a Now Zealand record. To bold the trust of ratepayers over such a lengthy period is a tribute which need not bo enlarged on.

Mr, Burt was also an active member of the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board, an office lie held since its inception in 1902. Mr. Burt had been a member of tho Bay of Plenty Electric Power Board since its inception and lijs place will be hard to fill. He was chairman of the board for one

term. Ho also occupied a seat on the licensing Bench for 20 years. A member of first drainage board for six years (retired), chairman and trustee of tho Matata Cemetery, Board for 33 years (active). Mr. Burt was appointed a Justice of tho Peace in 1000 and was a recipient of tho King's Jubilee Medal in 1035. Residents from all parts of the Bay of Plenty attended the funeral, presenting a striking tribute to the affection unci goodwill in which he was held over a wide area. The funeral was the biggest ever to be hold at Matata. En route children from, the Matata Native ■ ii v

School lined either side of the road, standing with bowed heads. The .pall bearers were Messrs, IT. A. Burt, A. It. Burt, T. E. Burt, G. It. Burt, .It. It. Lees and F. Lees, all nephews of the deceased. Mr. Burt is survived by Miss M. Burt of M.atatn, .