GEORGE GIBBONS 



was elected on its governing body in 1883, and he 

 was not long in making his influence felt, especially 

 in connection with dairying, being a strong sup- 

 porter of the recommendations already referred to of 

 the special committee, of which he was a member. 

 These resulted in the Society taking a much more 

 active part than hitherto in the promotion of the 

 industry. In point of fact, the Society was 

 enabled to embark upon its new departures in 

 this direction with the cheering confidence that 

 it had in Mr. Gibbons one who had both the 

 knowledge of what was required, and the ability 

 and the willingness to bring it to bear. He threw 

 himself heart and soul into the work, and to his 

 untiring energy was greatly due that success in 

 the movement for dairy education, which it never 

 lacked from start to finish. I doubt if he were 

 ever happier than when he was on those many 

 expeditions, which I shared with him, having for 

 their object the teaching of the country-side the 

 advantage of proved methods over the old rule 

 of thumb. I can testify to his remarkable en- 

 durance on those occasions, for he never seemed 

 to tire, however tedious the journey or however 

 arduous the duties to be fulfilled in addition. I 

 have often envied him his alertness at the end of a 

 long day, sometimes running well into the night, 

 spent by both of us in organization work and in 

 travelling to and from out-of-the-way places. 



He was a great believer in sulphate of am- 

 monia, not only as a fertilizer, but especially 

 as a personal pick-me-up. He carried a supply 

 of it loose in his waistcoat pocket, and, when 

 feeling tired and in want of a reviver, he took a 



225 Q 



