HAWKE’S BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 773, 29 December 1904, Page 9

HAWKE’S BAY.

Napier, December 26. Last Saturday morning a well-known supporter of the sport passed away in the person of Air W. Rathbone, who died at his residence, at Waipawa. For some time past the deceased has not enjoyed robust health, and when latterly his condition became worse but little hopes were entertained of his recovery. Mr

Rathbone, who was in his seventy-third year, had not been associated in the racing industry for a great period, as about the first horse he owned was Sylvanus. a son of 'I he Dauphin and Iniisthong. br< d in Auckland, who was foaled in 1889. Lik<> all who take an interest in the* sport he soon became a strenuous supporter < f the game, and by his purchases in this and the adjoining colonics soon established a fine breeding establishment at his property, Riversdale. Thorough as he was in every matter his training and breeding quarters were beautifully laid out with every convenience for men and horses, but his luck was not at all in keeping with the generous manner in which he spent money in the pursuit of his hobby, the best one bred being no doubt Zanella, Blarney, I’alaver, Fleka, and Amphion. That firstflighter Merganser, who carried his colours in all her arguments, was purchased by Mr Rathbone in Auckland, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to recount her many glorious deeds. Kind, loveable, and cons derate, with a courtly manner emblematical of the old school to which he belonged, and who, worse luck, are getting scarcer every year, his demise will be regretted by those who were favoured with his friendship. I mourn the loss of a good adviser and a staunch friend, and lam sure I am only voicing the feelings of sportsmen throughout ihe colony in regretting the departure from this mundane sphere of one of the staunchest men that has ever had his racing flag unfurled in the; turf world in this colony. The funeral took place yesterday, when a great number of friends and sympathisers attended to pay the last I'ites and show sympathy to his widow and children.