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Te Ao Hou, September 1955, Page 54

In the Maori world he was known and respected for his quiet dignity, for his consistent kindness and frequent generosity. He possessed inate qualities of leadership which persuaded people to better things. I never heard him raise his voice to anyone. Through the avenues of Rugby and horse racing—both dear to the hearts of the average New Zealander—his name was known and respected. As a soldier too he won distinction in Gallipoli and France. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and was later commissioned from the field. As a footballer Harry Jacob first gained real prominence while playing in the New Zealand Maori Army team. It must be remembered that this team was chosen from the Maori Pioneer Battalion only, but its successes were indeed notable. Among its achievements were victories over the Royal Naval Division and, yes, even Wales. Harry Jacob was one of its stars. He and one Gardiner were named “The N.Z. Tanks” and I have heard it said that two more powerful and agressive forwards would be hard to find. Harry was a wing forward of very great ability—rated by many as one of the best we have had. He was big—but not gross—and played with a determination which verged on ruthlessness. He played football in the grand tradition of our heyday. He was an All Black in 1920. This was no mean feat, for at that time the great “Moke” Bellis was at his peak and Jim Parker and Cliff Porter were looming up on the international scene. He was several times a Maori All Black and I venture to say that had he chosen to forsake the semiobscurity of Horowhenua for the spotlight of big city football he might have been many times an All Black. How loyalty to his home union bore fruit, however, when in 1927 Harry Jacob lead the combined Manawhenua team to the possession of the coveted Ranfurly Shield. His son, Ranfurly, was born at this time and was named in commemoration of the event. Ranfurly Jacob, too, has lived up to the family tradition on the Rugby field. He is a veterinary surgeon at Shannon and had it not been for his need to pursue his studies in Australia, I consider he would have had a good chance to win an All Black blazer. Harry Jacob was well known also in racing circles. For some sixteen years before joining the Maori Welfare organisation he was resident custodian of the Otaki Maori Racing Club. He was also one of the Club Stewards and racing men in the Wellington provincial circuit will join in mourning his passing. Harry Jacob lived a full and useful life. He won and held the esteem of the pakeha and by his example he did much to promote the harmonious relations between the races which exist in Horowhenua.