Vernon, 'king of eggs', dies

A Marlborough Farmers' Market stalwart regarded by many as the region's king of eggs has died.

Vernon King died after collapsing at home last Thursday.

A gazebo and a bunch of flowers were at the site of Vern's Eggs at the Farmers' Market on Sunday as part of a tribute to the 68-year-old.

Market committee chairman Chris Fortune said Mr King was a "jovial character" who had sold his free-range eggs at the market for the past couple of years.

He was also well known for his egg sales on Scott St. "We have many good memories," said Mr Fortune.

Vernon's sister, Urshula Gardiner, said her brother was a hard-working man who did not know when to take a break. "He would just keep on going and going and going."

Mrs Gardiner said he had worked with chickens for about 20 years, expanding a small brood of about 30 hens to a much larger operation at Kaituna.

Mr King "loved" his chickens, she said.

Mrs Gardiner and her husband, Michael, would look after the business until a new owner was found.

Mr King's funeral will be held on Wednesday at 10am at the old Marlborough Club in Russell Terrace.

- The Marlborough Express