PROMINENT FARMER PASSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 94, 7 May 1937, Page 8

PROMINENT FARMER PASSES

-Preaa Asaooiotion.)

Death of Mr. W. F. Jacob A LEADING BREEDER

(B» Tnlearr»ph-

PALMERSH'IN N, This Day. Bomney Marsh sheep-breedsrs throughout New Zealand will leaxn witlx regret of the passing of Mr William Prederio Jacob, tho well-known breeder of Kiwitea, Feilding, who passed away at Auckland on W ednesday night after a comparatively short 111ness, in his 85th year. The name of Jacob has beeii associated with Bomney sheep for over half a century; in fact,' it can be claimed for the late Mr Jacob that he was one of the pioneers in the industry of establishing and developing the Bomney Marsh sheep in the Dominion. He was one of the outstanding breedera, and to him is due some of tho credit. for the building up in this country the high quality of the Bomney. The late Mr Jacob, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, came out to New Zealand 54 years ago with the object of taking up farming and, after travelling nbout the country for a few months, fLnally decided upon eettling at Kiwitea, where he purchased the farm which has been his principal interest for over half .a century. He was the eldest son of "the founder of tho great biscuit manufacturing company of W. and R. Jacob and Co., of Dublin and Liverpool, a firm which for years has enjoyed a worldwide reputation. Last year a younger brother, Mr George Jacob, chairman of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, visited New Zealand in conneetion with the conference of xepresentatives of chambers of commerce. Fifty-four years ago the late Mr Jacob commenced hfs farming operations on the land he acquired at Kiwitea and soon after coneentrated upon the breeding of Bomney Marsh sheep. As a young man he early appreciated the virtues of the cross-bred Bomney as being the type of sheep most suitable for the climatic conditions as well as for the Dominion '» requirements in both wool and mutton, and from modest beginnings gradually developed the Jacoo type o£ Bomney, which became immediately popular throughout the Noyth Island. He shared with other pioneer breeders a wholesome enthusiasm for breeding nothing but the bost and in establishing his flock went far alield to secure the sheep which, in his authoritative opinion, seemed best suited for the type he desired to establish. His ewes were obtained froni J. C. Yorke, of Inaha, Hawera, in 1892, and these were descended from ewes bred by J. C. Boys, of Bangiora, in 1880. They were earefully selected for their constitution and wool qualities and were mated with rams acquired from the flocks of such well-known pioneer breeders as Mrs T. Willis, of Greatford, Mr G. C. Wheeler, of Burford, Stanway, Mr A. Matthews, of Wairongomai, Featherston, Mr E. N. Bealcy, of Hororata, Canterbury, a'nd tho imported sires from the stud of Messrs Arthur Finn and Godwin, of Kent, England. At the close of the nineteenth century the late Mr Jacob was among those early breeders who began to consider ■ the formation of a Bomney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association, and in 1903 their combined efforts saw the establishment of such an organisation. As a foundation member, the late Mr | Jacob was" elected treasurer, which posi- | tion he held until his death. For 34 years he sat on the council of the association and throughout that period brought to bear on the activities of the association a rare wisdom as well as a unique knowledge of the Bomney sheep. He was a stalwart for the preservation of the high quality of the Bomney and was indefatiguable in his efforts to maintain the purity of the sheep and the standards set by tho association. Actuated by motives which took cognisanco of the importance of the Bomney sheep to the welfare of the country 's developing trade, and the late Mr Jacob was satisfied with nothing but the best, and to him is due a large measure of the credit for tho general excellence of New Zealand's Bomney docks to-day. His coniidence in the future of the Eomhey cross-bred; as a utility sheep, combining both exceptional mutton and wool producing qualities, was never shaken and he lived to see that confidence realised. In his own quiet, unassuming way he pursued the development of his own floek, numbered in the Bomney stud book, 42, and established the Jacob rain, which has won such a high place among woolgrowers and breeders throughout New Zealand, In tho show-ring and at ram fairs- the Jacob ram has won distinc* tion for both type and quality and those characteristics which preserve and per- • petuate the very best of the breed. In addition to his enthusiasm for the Bomney, the late Mr J^cob also devoted time and money to the breeding of Shorthorn- cattle, whiph were once extremely popular in the beef trade. Despite the pressure exertcd by the popularity of the Hercford and then the Aberdeen Angus, the late Mr Jacob continued to be devoted to his Shorthorn cattle and from his stud were drawn many successful sires. To him the Shorthorn was stili the great beef cattle and for quality, as well as early niaturity, they were equal to the breeds which have becomo so popular among ciittie-raiseia. In public aiBare tne late Mr Jacob was ldontified with the Kiwitea Gounty Council, flrst as a councillor and later as chairman. ,Ho took a prominent part in church affairs, being a strong supporter of the Kiwitea Anglican Uhurch and for many years was a synodsman. In pastoral interest»x he was a past presideut of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, a member of the Sheep Owuors' Federatiou, a member of tho Farmers' Uuion and of the Feilding A. and I'. Association. Intensely practieal in all things, tho late Mr Jacob was possossed of every gentlemanly quality and won for himsclf the highest respcct of the district which had known him foi

so long. lintii about two years ago ho was a familiar ilgure in Feilding aud as failing health required him. to be less active, he spent most of his time with his only soa, Mr Cecil Jacob, of Auckland. He mado several journeys between Feilding and ^Auckland by aeroplane, confessing that this mode of travel was easily the most eomfortablo he had ever expericnced.