LATE B. P. EDWARDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 855, 26 December 1929, Page 12

LATE B. P. EDWARDS

TROTTING PIONEER DEAD FINE WORK FOR THE SPORT The light- harness fraternity learned yesterday of the death of one of New Zealand’s trotting pioneers, Mr. B. P. Edwards, who died on Tuesday, •after a severe illness of several months' duration. Mr. B. Edwards was connected with the trotting: business practically since its inauguration Dominion and took part in the earliest fixtures held in Canterbury and Auckland. With his late brother “Manny” he was a prominent figure wherever lightharness contests were held two and three decades ago. “Bert” Edwards, as he was popularly known to the fraternity, met with a great measure of success in those days, and won the first New Zealand Cup with Monte Carlo in 1904. He was a keen student of breeding and did a great deal to improve the standard of the light-harness horse by importing the best possible blood to the Dominion. Of later years, he devoted the major portion of his time to this phase of the pastime, and the Mardella stud, of which he was proprietor, has turned out some splendid young stock. Trotting enthusiasts are well acquainted with the Mardella sires. Worthy Bond and The Triumph, while on the galloping side was Kilbroney. A keen, conscientious worker, Mr. Edwards maintained an active interest in the breeding and educating of trotters and pacers, until overtaken some few months back by illness. He had a wonderful memory and could recite thrilling episodes of the early days of the sport, while on the question of breeding, his knowledge was noted.

The late Mr. Edwards was respected far and wide as a man of integrity, whose word was his bond. He survived by three daughters, Misses Nancy. Majorie and Olive, to whom the sympathy of the sporting public is given.—Abaydos.