W. O. Rennie

WILLIAM OSBORNE RENNIE

Wm. Osborne Rennie, who died on December 30th at the age of 70 after being in ill-health for some time, was well known throughout Canterbury for the practical interest he had shown in farming for many years. He was born at Doyleston, where he lived all his life and where his death occurred.

With his father he took over "Rushbrook," a property at Doyleston, and established a Border Leicester stud which was founded in 1872 on six ewes. More stud ewes were added in later years at intervals. About 1922, Mr Rennie began exporting Border Leicesters to Australia, and since then rarely a year passed in which he did not send some sheep to that country.

Mr Rennie was interested in the possibility of the Ryeland giving a heavy lamb, and in 1922 he established a Ryeland stud, which was No. 5 in the flock book. He also established a Southdown stud. Mr Rennie was president of the Ryeland Society of New Zealand.

He did not confine his interest in farming to his own activities, but joined a number of advisory agricultural bodies to impart the knowledge he had gained. He was president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1939, and was later made life member. He was also a member and past president of the Ellesmere A. and P. He regularly showed his stock at both the Leeston and Metropolitan Shows, where he generally secured a fair measure of success.

Other shows in New Zealand, particularly in Hawke's Bay and Southland, claimed his attention. He showed his stock at these shows with the object of selling later in these centres. In recognition of his services to agriculture in stock breeding, Mr Rennie, in 1934, was awarded the Bledisloe Medal.

Local Body Service:

Mr Rennie was a member of several local bodies, including the Ellesmere County Council, of which he was secretary for six years.   Also sat on the Council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society.

During the war he was appointed to the Canterbury Primary Production Committee, a body specially set up by the Government to assist in farming production. When Canterbury Rural Land Sales Committee was set up Mr Rennie was a member and had been a member continuously until he resigned because of ill-health at the end of March.

His family had a long and close connection with the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. Mr John Rennie, father of Mr W. O. Rennie, was appointed to the Board by the Government in 1897, and sat on it till 1913. Mr George Rennie, his son, was a t the College from 1902-09, and Mr W. O. Rennie was appointed to the board in 1930, and had been continuously a member until he resigned because of ill-health in November, 1949. Mr W. O. Rennie was chairman of the board from 1936-44. Mr George Rennie was also a Bledisloe Medallist.

Mr Rennie was educated at Doyleston, Christchurch Boys' High School, and Lincoln College (1897-98). He is survived by Mrs Rennie and two sons, Messrs A. O. Rennie and G. E. Rennie. Christchurch" Press," 31/12/ 49.