VETERAN SPORTSMAN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20126, 23 February 1937, Page 11

VETERAN SPORTSMAN

MORRINSVILLE FAREWELL. PRESENTATION TO MR F. J. MARSHALL. (Special to Times.) MORRINSVILLE, Tuesday. Representative or all parts or the \\ alkato and or all the South Auckland raclnE clubs and sporting bodies was the attendance at a smoke concert arranged by a Morrlnsville committee to farewell Mr F. J. Marshall, who will leave on a trip to England on Thursday. For over half a century Mr Marshall has lived In Morrinsvtlle, and he has been one or the most prominent breeders or thoroughbred horses in the country. He was the first president of the Morrlnsville Horticultural and Pastoral Society. In 1921 he was elected unopposed the first Mayor or Morrlnsville. Me F. C. Kennedy presided, and among those present were Messrs G. W. Vercoe. past president or the Waikato Racing Club; M. H. Tims, president of the Walpa Racing Club; W. J. Aitken, president of the Morrlnsville Agricultural and Pastoral Society; and the Mayor or Morrlnsville. Mr W. T. Osborne. There was an attendance or about 100.

On behalf or those present Mr A. Needham made a presentation to Mr Marshall or a well-filled wallet, and expressed tbe appreciation of those who had subscribed. The donors included friends from all parts or the Auckland Province and several racing clubs. Apologies were read from many sportsmen in other districts.

Mr Vercoe, who has been associated with Mr Marshall since 1892, eulogised him as a man whose valuation of stock was always unquestioned. Other speakers were Messrs J. E. Leeson. W. F. Stark. M. H. Tims. W. J. Aitken. B. O’Brien, W. J. Neels and E. J. Schofield, ail associates of long standing. In responding Mr Marshall said he had been much affected b.v the evidence or goodwill he had received on the eve of his departure. He first arrived in New Zealand in 1884. when he landed at Auckland with a consignment of pedigree sheep and cattle for Mr T. Morrin, the owner of the Lockerbie Estate at Morrlnsville. For 30 years Mr Marshall was in business as a butcher at Morrlnsville. Many notable thoroughbred sires were stationed at Morrlnsville under his care and he was a strong supporter or the Waikato Hunt Club. Among the horses that Mr Marshall bred and raced was Bedford (Bunyan— Miss Dlx), which won many handicaps at Eiierslie and Takapuna, and won the Winter Cup at Christchurch on 1918. Musical items were contributed during the evening by Messrs L. Echlin, F. N. Stringfleld, H. Roberts and R. o. Sweet ifi°iJ.??« ) 4x and J >y ,T Mr T A ' GllTord <Pianororte selection). Mr G. Lee played tbe accompaniments.