OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9304, 3 August 1908, Page 3

OBITUARY.

. — «. [Pee, Press Association.] DUKEDIK, August 3. Mr Charles E. Bird, for many years steward of the Fern hill Club, and wellknown in racing circles, died this morning. " [From: Otfit Correspondent.] PUNEDIN. Augu&t 3. The late Mr Charles Bird was a regular habitue of Riccartou from 1862 till a a few yea re ago. When the first Champion race was run at Silver-stream he niade £500 by backing Ladybird. He afterwards owned her, and ran her in the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap. Tho deceased was one of the first members of the Dunedin Jockey Club. In the early sixties he took up some large contracts with Canterbury squatters to supply them with store cattle. H© used to buy at Wellington and ship to Lyttleton, and it took him eighteen months to complete these contracts. After returning from Japan in 1869 lie visited Christchurch, and, in conjunction with J. Bennett, bought out Barnett's Repository, re-naming it Tattersall's. They worked their lease out and did a big business, when they dissolved partnership. Mr Bird returned here, and was appointed to the management of the Dunedin Club, which was then being formed. He remained there till about two years ago, when, failing health compelled his retirement.