DEATH OF MR. J. O’DRISCOLL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 9

DEATH OF MR. J. O’DRISCOLL

WELL-KNOWN SPORTSMAN. The death occurred at his residence, St. Aubyn Street, New Plymouth, last night of Mr. Jeremiah O’Driscoll, a wellknown sportsman of the Dominion. Mr. O’Driscoll was bom in Ireland in 1859, and came in 1875 to Dunedin, where he had as fellow apprentice to the farriery trade Bob Fitzsimmons, afterwards the world’s heavyweight boxing champion.

Mr. O’Driscoll’s connection with racing commenced in 1885, when he became the of a condemned troop horse which “he found could • jump.” The horse ran second in the first steeplechase held at the Hutt. His first win was with a horse called Reputation, this horse and another called ■ Jacob winning several hurdle races. Racing men of the past generation will remember Buckley’s Chance, Off Chance, and that great mare Secrecy. Mr. O’Driscoll’s greatest horse, however, was Waiwera, with which he won in all 23 races, including the New Zealand Grand National. On arrival in Taranaki Mr. O’Driscoll purchased the old Bell Block hotel at Bell Block. In spite of the Courts and the licensing laws of New Zealand he successfully removed the license of this hotel at Bell Block to one which he built opposite the New Plymouth railway station. This was the Commonwealth Hotel, which was destroyed by fire soon after completion. The hotel was rebuilt and is now known as the Grosvenor Hotel. Mr. O’Driscoll retired from active business some 15 years ago, and has since lived in retirement at New Plymouth, except for two trips to England and Ireland in recent years. “Jerry” O’Driscoll was known to all the sporting fraternity of the North Island, and his passing will be regretted by those who recognised his sportsmanship and his kindly nature.