Ornamental Pheasant Society



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the inaugural meeting at his house, and also a general meeting and

garden party only two weeks before his death.


From the date of the inaugural meeting to the day of his death he

took an extraordinary interest in our affairs. He was a man of very

definite decisions, but was never dogmatic.


On the day before his death he wrote to Mr. Lambert, and I think

his words are worth repeating : “ I do not agree with your views, but,

of course, I am always anxious to support the Committee, and would

not dream of opposing them.”


That sentence sums up in a few words his delightful character.

Although he had fixed and concise ideas he was so interested in our work

that he would never oppose the Committee if they came to a decision ;

this is surely the right spirit.


The O.P.S. has lost its best friend and adviser, and we shall, more¬

over, always miss his generosity. He was a wonderful collector of

Pheasants and other birds, he would spare no expense provided he

knew he was having a fair deal, and he loathed any underhand dealings,

and was the very soul of integrity and honour. It is sad to think that

such a great aviculturist has passed over, but we shall do everything

in our power to perpetuate his memory, and in our future activities-

we shall always respect his one emphatic wish, and that was that we

should not accept charity and should be self-supporting.


After the last general meeting Mr. Blay took some of the Committee

to Surbiton Station, and when a member of this Committee endeavoured

to express his thanks to him he stopped him with the remark : “ Don’t

say another word, you know I like to do all I can for the O.P.S.” Then

he whispered : “ If the Society are ever short of cash, just let me

know ; but I insist that this shall be an anonymous gift.”


That remark was typical of all that he did for the O.P.S. We mourn

his loss, but his memory will for ever be with us.



J. M. Grant-Ives.



