HAWKE’S BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1398, 8 February 1917, Page 15

HAWKE’S BAY.

Trainer T. Jones Meets With Fatal Accident at Gisborne —Death of a Veteran Sportsman — Waipukurau J.C.’s Annual General Meeting— Election of Officers.

NAPIER, Monday.

T. Jones, who has lateiy been attached to J. M. Cameron’s training quarters at Hastings, met with a sad end last week at Gisborne. His visit there was in connection with the races, he being in charge of Cameron’s team, and during bis stay there by some m.schance he either fell or walked through the window of his bedroom at the Royal Hotel. Though badly injured internally, besides having one of his arms broken, he managed to get back again to his room, where he was found early on Sunday morning. He was at once taken to the local hospital, but despite all that could be done for him he passed away early the following morning. The deceased, who was about 46 years of age, had been in residence at Hastings and the surrounding district for over a quarter of a century, and at one time was a very successful trainer. For a considerable period he acted as private trainer to the late Mr. G. E. G‘. Richardson, and at one time was very successful with Rhino, Flaneur, and other well-known performers.

On Thursday, at /Hastings, there crossed the Great Divide a well-known figure in the world of sport. I refer to Mr. Alfred Thornton Danvers. Mr.

Danvers, who was born at Weybridge, Surrey, 78 years ago, came to New Zealand as a young man in .1854, and had resided in Hawke’s Bay for almost the whole period, except for the time spent in a trip to England between the years 1861 and 1863. For a considerable time he was associated with various classes of sport in the district, and was particularly well-known amongst the early followers of racing. He had owned and ridden horses himself from time to time, first at old Greenmeadows, near where the Napier Park Racing Club now holds its meetings. He had fulfilled at intervals the duties of judge, starter, and clerk of the course to the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, of which body he vas also a steward for several years. He was secretary and captain of the Havelock and Clive football and cricket clubs; secretary, treasurer and judge of the old Napier Open Field Coursing Club; secretary and handicapper of the first Hawke’s Bay Gun Club; secretary of the old Havelock Racing Club; also secretary of the Maori Racing Clubs at Pakowhai and Paki Paki, known afterwards as Maori Oats meetings. Most racegoers outside of Hawke’s Bay will remember Mr. Danvers as secretary and handicapper of the Napier Park Racing Club, which dual position he held for fifteen years. He also acted as handicapper to the Gisborne Racing Club and Wairoa County Racing Club, while several other country clubs availed themselves of his services as weight adjuster. Recently the deceased had ben devoting most

of his time to veterinary work, and had almost dropped out of the field as an active participant in the business of racing. He leaves a widow to mourn his loss, as well as a grown-up family, of whom the following are the members: —Mrs. Tyers, Hastings; Mrs. Oxenham, Hatuma; Messrs. F. T. Danvers, Palmerston Noith; E. R. Danvers, Dannevirke; and A. V. Danvers, at present in camp at Trentham. The annual general meeting of the Waipukurau Jockey Club was held at Waipukurau on Friday night, a good attendance of members being present, Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., presiding. The chairman referred to the great loss that the club had sustained through the death of Mr. Henry Gaisford, who had been an active member and president since the club’s formation ovex* thirty years ago. The late president, he said, had also been starter and judge, and was looked upon as the father of the club. He was a splendid example of a true sport. Mr. Hunter moved the following resolution: —“That there be placed on record the very valuable services that had been rendered by the late president, Mr. H. Gaisford, since the club’s formation, and the great loss it had sustained by his decease. Also, that a letter of sympathy be sent to the family on their great loss.” The motion was seconded by Mr. E. Gilbertson, and was carried, all members standing meanwhile. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. The balance-sheet showed that a profit of £350 had been made out of the late race meeting,

which sum had been donated to patriotic funds.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. G‘. Hunter, M.P.; y ice-president, Mr. W. H. Gaisford; hon. treasurer, Mr. P. Hunter; committee, Messrs. G. Hunter, M.P., P. Hunter, H. A. Speedy, J. D. Ormond, junior, G. B. Ashley, A. Johnston, W. Storah, J. C. Parker, F. Armstrong, T. E. Whelch, D. McLeod, and P. F. Wall. At the conclusion of the annual meeting a committee meeting was held, Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., .n the chair. The race programme was drafted on similar lines to that of last year, £1125 being allotted for stakes. The following officials v-ere appointed: — Judge, Mr. R. H. Aidworth; handicapper, Mr. J. E. Henrys; starter, Mr. Angus Keith; timekeeper, Mr. S. E. Cowper; clerk of scales, Mr. H. M. Bishop; clerk of course, Mr. T. Nutt.