OBITUARY Mr Robert Jopp Was A Noted Merino Breeder

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 14

OBITUARY Mr Robert Jopp Was A Noted Merino Breeder

“The Press” Special Service DUNEDIN, Jan. 17.

Mr Robert Jopp, one of the best-known sheepfarmers and sheep breeders in New Zealand, has died in Alexandra, at the age of 83. Mr Jopp was famed for his knowledge of fine wools and for his Moutere station Merino stud, which is one of the principal studs in the country. He was born at Puketoi station, on the Maniototo Plain, but went to Motuere station, Vincent, in 1891 with his father. He was educated at Dunedin and then returned to the station, where he took up farm-

ing. In 1910, Mr Jopp joined his brother, Mr W. A. T. Jopp, to take up the Lamb Hill station at Hindon.

In 1915, he bought Moutere station from the trustees of his father’s estate. When W. A. T. Jopp was killed overseas in the Frst World War, Mr Jopp was appointed trustee of the estate and, while farming Moutere station, supervised the farming of Lamb Hill station for the estate.

Mr Jopp founded a Merino stund in 1924, still one of the main Merino studs in New Zealand. He was a member of almost every agricultural and pastoral association in the country, and was on the committee of the Central Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association—of which he was a life member —and the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

His knowledge of fine wools was widely recognised, and he was called on to judge finewool classes at shows throughout New Zealand. Mr Jopp was a member of numerous jockey and trotting clubs, including the Central Otago Jockey Club. Prominent horses he owned included Dawson Bingen, Silver Jack, Mighty Song, and Moutere Bay, which won the principal race at Timaru a week ago. In 1948, Mr Jopp retired from active runholding, settling in Alexandra, and leaving the running of Moutere station to his son, Mr Andrew Jopp, who continues the family’s 75-year association with the property. Mr Jopp is also survived by his wife.