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OBITJUA RY MR. J. F. KIRBY. Mr. John Finn Kirby died on Tuesday at Portland, where he had lived in retirement for some years, at the ripe age of 84. He is re membered by many of the •older generation as a sportsman, both in sport and in actuality, as apart from his keen interest, displayed in a variety of ways, in almost every form of sport, he was a leading footballer in the metropolitan area in early days and was a versatile athlete of considerable attainments. Particularly is he remembered, how ever, because of his long associa tion with the station overlooking Coleraine which is known as Mt. Koroite. Mr. Kirby was born on his father's station, Springbank, Cas terton, on October 7, 1858. His education was completed at Bal larat College, after leaving which es tablishment he spent seven years with Messrs. Fisken and Gibson, and Hdpburn, Leonard and Rowe, stock and station agents, Ballarat, in or der to gain commercial experience. In 1882, he joined Mr. F. G. Small page's stock and station business at Coleraine and after spending twelve months there he purchased the 'busi ness, afterwards taking as partner Mr. J. M. Gillespie, of the National Bank, in conjunction with whom he carried on the business for five years until 1887. Mr. Kirby married, In 1885, Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Crowe, of Mingbool station, near Mt. Gambier. He was a councillor of the Wan non Shire for a number of years and was honored by consecutive terms as president. Mr. Kirby was also president of the P. and A. So ciety, in which he took a very deep interest. His work for closer set tlement was considerable, and the effect of his labors of great value. The Coleraine Racing Club was privileged to have his services as president on several occasions and basked in the reflected glory of sev cral notable successes by horses in lMr. Kirby's stable. Worthy of note was his ownership of The Parisian which, sired. by Bobadil, proved a mnoney spinner indeed. The Par isian, when five years old, carried 17.7 to victory in the 1911 Australian Cup in the time of 3 min. 571 sees., which equalled the record time of Lord Ullin's Daughter six years be fore-the best time for 48 years. From success to success went The Parisian (which also accounted for the Hamilton and Warrnambool Cups in between metropolitan suc cesses), and the Melbourne Cup of 1911 fell to his sweeping strides when ridden by the famous "hoop," R. Cameron (8.9) in a field of 33. Malmsey carried Mr. Kirby's colors to victory in the Standish Handicap in 1910. The Parisian, incident ally, was a first prize hack in the Mt. Gambler show ring. With Napier, Mr. Kirby won the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank and the Grand Annual at Warrnambool. " • Mr. Kirby was one of the promot ers of the Coleraine- and Western District Butter Factory Limited, and was chairman of directors for some years. He was also a J.P. His father, the late Mr. Edmund Kirby, was a well known pioneer, who. came to Australia in 1840. He was the owner of several stations, in cluding Springbahk and The Avenue, and was one of the most experi enced land valuators in - the colony. In 1867, he went to Ballarat where ,llo remained until his death. The funeral took. 'place. at Cole 'aine.-"Spectator."

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