PAST YEARS RECALLED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 4

PAST YEARS RECALLED

MARTONS OLDEST RESIDENT MR M. MARR’S 94th. BIRTHDAY. (0.C.) Marton, March 15. Memories of the early Rangitikei and Wanganui districts were recalled by Marton's oldest resident, Mr. Michael Marr, who celebrated his 94th. birthday yesterday, when he was entertained at afternoon tea by his three daughters—Mrs. W. Woodham (Palmerston North), Mrs. C. J. Powell (Hunterville) and Mrs. D. Abel (Auckland)—with several ot his grandchildren and others. A birthday cake with 94 candles was made by a granddaughter, Mrs. Ray Whale (Marton) for the occasion. Mr. Marr's health was toasted with musical honours.

Major James Batten (Marton), proposing Mr. Marr's health, referred to the early history of the Rangitikei Royal Rides, when Captain S. Skerman was in command and Lieutenant M. Marr and the late Lieutenant J. Sutcliffe were his junior officers. At that time Major Batten, who received his commission in the war of 1914-18, was a private in the company. Mr. Marr was born in County Wicklow, about 16 miles from Dublin, in 1849, and subsequently left London for Melbourne in the ship Australia. His family later travelled in the brig Shamrock to Wellington, where they arrived in February, 1856. In the following month they came to Wanganui in the schooner Mary Thompson. After a peiod in Wanganui they moved to Lake Alice, Rangitikei, the property at that time being managed by Mr. Hugh Ross, father of the late Major Ross, of Marton. Walk To Wanganui.

When eight years of age Mr. Marr, with his mother and a baby, walked to Wanganui from Lake Alice. They spent the first night at the late Mr. John Grant's, “Tullochgoram,” Turakina, but on the following day lost their way and spent that night under a toi-toi bush on a piece of land known as Cameron's Ridge. They arrived at Wanganui on the following evening.

Mr. Marr came to Marton in 1871 and worked for Mr. J. O. Batchelor in the White Hart stables, and later for Mr. W. G. Watt at the corner store. For 14 years he controlled a shearing group known as "Marr’s Gang,” ano they sheared for the late Mr. Norman

Fitzherbert at Aberfeldie for 11 years. For 30 years, before the advent ot motor transport, he conducted a carrying business in Marton. Mr. Marr was a familiar figure at Feilding, Wanganui, Marton, Rangitikei and Waverley racecourses as the seller of “krect cards,” his initial effort being at the Rangitikei races in January, 1888, on account of the late Mr. J. L. Kirkbride, proprietor of the Rangitikei Advocate. Early Racing.

In 1874 Mr. Marr owned and rode Deerfoot, a Steadbrook mare by Peter Plat out of a Riddlesworth mare Gentle Annie, and won the Ladies’ Purse at Foxton. In the following year he rode the mare Topaz for the late Sir J. G. Wilson and won the Ladies’ Purse for the second time. In 1876 he trained the horse Gazelle for the late Mr. W. G. Watt. She won the Wanganui Hurdle Race, ridden by the late Pat McCoy. The same yedr he took Butcher Boy to New Plymouth and won a hurdle race. The horse was owned and ridden by the late Mr. W. Nicholson, who was a first-class gentleman rider. Mr. Marr won a 2i-mile flat race op Tim Whiffler at Parewanui for the late Mr. David Scott, and also a threemile flat race at Kauangaroa, near Fordell, on Tim Whiffler. He also won the maiden race on The Fox at the same place for the late Mr. Alex Cameron (the father of the late Messrs. Tom and Jack Cameron) and won the last race of the day with Deerfoot, ridden by a lad named Flyger, of Fordell. At Turakina in the same year Mr. Marr rode Deerfoot to victory in the Shearers’ Race (li miles).

Mr. Marr is still hale and hearty. For the past few years he has lived a retired life, but is always pleased to meet old associates.