Photo shows: St Mary's Catholic Church overflowed last Wednesday as mourners representing a wide range of community influence supported the family and relatives in the loss of Mr 'Win' Ryder after a long illness.
The passing of Brinsley Michael Anthony Ryder after a long illness last week was a loss to the Otaki community in both the 74 years of Otaki growth he had shared in his lifetime as a son of the town and in his total dedication to the Otaki and Horowhenua communities through his interests and involvement in local body administration.
Born in Otaki at his grandmother's (the D'ath homestead) to farming parents, Mr Ryder spent the first six years of his life on the family sheep station, Kakariki, at Hawkes Bay.
In 1914 his father purchased the well known property Pahiko on the south side of the Otaki River and his school, years and learning of dairy farming evolved from there.
His secondary education was s pent at Horowhenua High School which meant a bike ride to the Otaki Railway Station to catch the train to Levin with the morning and evening milkings thrown into the daily routine.
Pahiko was soid in 1924 and the family took over the farming land on the other side of the river where now the industrial area and sewerage ponds are situated. Mr Ryder farmed this property until it was sold ahont 1975.
In 1942 he married Marge Nelson, a teacher at the Otaki Health Camp whose family had farming interest in Hawkes Bay and from their Aotaki Street home their three children, Louise, Donald and David were, born.
The family remembers their father as a very hard worker, up at 4arn to milk and home again about 6prn. Years were spent clearing the old riverbed stones from the property.
Always an individualist, Mr Ryder was the last farmer in the area to give up hand milking and long after others had converted to mechanised means of transport he still used his horse and cart to take his milk to the Railway Milk Station. Up to the early 60s his travel up Aotaki Street on route was an alarm clock for the residents.
His children still talk of the motorbike helmet wore to keep his head warm on the journey.
In addition to the running of his own farm, Mr yder also managed his wife's inherited property in wkes Bay.
He involved himself in the farming affairs of the district and for many years was a committee member of the Rahui Suppliers Society which administered the town milk trade to the Wellington City Council. This body is now the Wellington Dairy Farmers Co-op Association.
A keen sportsman, he played rugby for the Manakau Huimal Club and made selection for the Manawhenua representative team In the days when Horowhenua and Manawatu were combined in provincial play.
During the 30s and onwards he was a stalwart of the early Otaki Tennis Club based behind the Jubilee Hotel.
Top player and club captain for many years he did much to promote club membership, improve facilities and encourage younger players. At a time when transport was difficult to come by he transported players to the interclub matches at Foxton and Shannon.
Golfing was another of his leisure interests and he served on the Otaki Golf Club committee for some terms in the 30s and 40s and along with other earlier players contributed in debenture to the construction of the club house as it stands today.
Mr Ryder was vitally interested in the affairs of the community and became a familiar figure at public meetings. His forthrightness and ability to sum up any situation was respected. This led to an involvement with local politics. For 21 years he served on the Horowhenua County Council after being elected as the Otaki riding representative in 1956.
Appointed first to the Works Committee and also as liaison officer to the Otaki Fire Board, he moved to the Health and Planning Committee in 1959 and became chairman of that committee in 1965. From June 1969 he held the position of deputy chairman of the Horowhenua County Council under chairman Mr Jack Blenkhorn until October 1977 when he did not seek re-election.
Speaking of Mr Ryder's county involvement Mr Blenkhorn said: "Brin Ryder was a dedicated county councillor with the knack of summing up all sides of an issue through his deep study on local body affairs.
"His contribution to the planning area, a complex subject, was outstanding. Although his opinion was often different to the majority it was always the re-sult of knowing his subject and his outspoken and forthright comments often influenced the final decision. One could rely on what he said. He served the community fairly and impartially and was an excellent councillor.
"Many years before reuniting in local affairs both men had shared a desk at Horowhenua High School in 1925. We were put near the front as we were deemed to be noisy," said Mr Blenkhorn.
From the county council ranks, Mr Ryder was appointed to the Horowhenua Power Board in 1961. This became a 10 year involvement leading to his appointment as chairman of the board in 1974 with the resignation of Mr B.H. Smith.
Mr David Reid, secretary/manager of the Hlorowhenua Power Board said Mr Ryder was known to take his responsibilities seriously and like his county Interests went out of his way to study and understand the issues involved.
"His opinion was valued at any meeting as he had thoroughly done his homework," said Mr Reid.
During Mr Ryder's time as chairman, he led the board in its bid to construct a hydro-dam on the Otaki River.
His belief in the project was reflected in the enthusiastic way he promoted the scheme via public meetings," said Mr Reid.
"He would accept any invitation to discuss or debate the subject and made himself readily available to any organisation to this end. A genuine concern for the consumers, board and staff was always upper-most in his thinking and his attitude to all matters within his responsibility fair and impartial,"
While chairman of the power board Mr Ryder received the Queen's silver jubilee medal awarded for community service in 1977.
To his death Mr Ryder retained a vital interest in the affairs in which he had been involved administratively.
Horses were a great love in his life, both gallopers and trotters. As well as owning gallopers he followed the track avidly and the Ryders never missed a Trentham meeting.
A life member of the Otaki Trotting Club he was a foundation member and president for ten years, resigning from this position last year due to failing health.
A committee member for 25 years, Mr Ryder had seen the club grow from the days when an annual subscription was two and sixpence through hard times to the present situation of one of the few flourishing and financially successful clubs in the country.
Presenting Mr Ryder's final president's report in his absence last year Mr Lindsay Mansell as succeeding president said: "During the years of Brin'sinfluence the club has matured and prospered. His wise counsel has been very much in evidence during his time as president. He has guided the club to its present sound position and has always shown a willingness to hear the other persons point of view. Because of these attributes he is a well remembered and highly respected conference delegate."
As the club's delegate to the New Zealand Trotting Conference in 1950, Mr Ryder was to instrument a beneficial move for the club.
The winter meeting date which had not proved popular was changed to the spring meeting which the club still holds on the calendar.
Also during his time the club began its night trotting meeting at Hutt Park which greatly assisted the viability of the club.
It gave him great pleasure to record the finalisation of a long standing scheme of a partnership between the Masterton, Manawatu, Wellington and Otaki trotting clubs in owning and operating a mobile barrier in his final report. This venture with all four clubs having equal shares and management involved a lengthy lead up period.
Mr Ryder had a tremendous interest in the people around him. Unknown to many is the counselling and help he gave to others over the years especially in budgeting matters. His home was often a retreat to those with problems and advice and assistance were given freely and confidentially.
He was a town identity preferring to cycle among the community rather than take the easy car ride and Brin and his stick were a familiar daily sight in latter years as he fought off his increasing immbolity.
Few areas of community life were untouched by his interest and presence. This was reflected in the huge gathering of mourners at his funeral representing a life time of total commitment to his community in all spheres. From the contribution to his service by the Maori people with whom he was held in great love and respect to the Otaki Pony Club guard of honour outside the church (he was their patron), the loss of a good friend to many was marked and recorded.
Mr Ryder is survived by his wife Marge, children Louise, Donald and David and five grandchildren.
