DR THOMAS HARRISON.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1736, 7 May 1930, Page 6

DR THOMAS HARRISON.

FAITHFUL TO DUTY Uln TO DEATH.

A distressing motor aeeident occurred on Wednesday night of last week just outside Queenstown when one of the most prominent figures in Central Otago met an untimely end. The news of the death of Dr Thomas Harrison cast a gloom over the whole district. From information gathered the doctor was on thelreturn trip from Queenstown to attend an urgent case in Cromwell Hospital. The lights on the car he was in were not too good and he mistook a road which turns to the left Just outside Queenstown. This road is a narrow one and from the tracks of the car it is quite evident that the Doc. had not been op this road before. He endeavoured to turn at a spot at the top. His left wheels went over the bank and the car dropped 24ft back on to the road he had just come up. Death must have been instantaneous. Dr Harrison was born in Palmerston and- was educated at the local Public School and the Waitaki Boys' High Scßool. On leaving the latter he entered the Otago University and took up the study of medicine and after, graduat- ■ ing went Home to complete his studies. On his return to the Dominion he took up-practice until the outbreak of war, when he left with the Main Body as a member of the New Zealand Medical Corps, being one of the company which was on the hospital transport Marquette when she was torpedoed in the Mediterranean Sea. After the war he resumed " practice in Dunedin and about nine years ago came up to Central Otago to the Lander district. A few years ago he to?k over the Cromwell Hospital and as ,a surgeon had few equals in New Zealand. Those on whom he operated —and there are hundreds in Central Otago—had the feeling when they were in his hands that everything would be all right. In his University days the deceased was a prominent Rugby foot-

'" bailer an<l his goal-kicking qualifications . - were well known- to tlie past gcitcra- "■ ' tioa o£ Dunedin footballers. After his •" "retircnicnt"from the fielil of play he' couV "tinned* to tatte a keen interest in the game. In 1920 lie represented the University Club, on the Otago Rugby Foot"hall Management Committee and on his coming to Cromwell became a memlier of "the Vineent Sub-union. He was also a keen swimmer, a valued member of. Cromwell BowKng Club, and a lover of any .kind, of sport. As a returned soldier, he had the welfare of all returned men at heart and for a number" of years was President of the Duuediu Returned"{Soldiers' Association, an organisation to which he rendered yeoman service. In racing eireles he was a " popular figure and owned at different . _ times, some good" horses probably the best known-of which was Arrowmir. | f On Thursday morning Mr Taylor-Canon collected' from the returned soldiers of Alexandra sufficient to purchase a floral wreath which was placed on his grave at Anderson's Bay eemetery by Mr " Ilnnter Denniston, the local represnta- j tive. Trie', hearse which conveyed the deceased brother to Dunedin, via Palmersfon, was met on the outskirts of Clyde by an Alexandra car (His "Worship the Mayor, Cr C. Burgess, Messrs L- Ryan, JJ\, and J. Watson, Alex--andra returned soldiers) and followed .as far as Springvale. Cars from Cromwell and Clyde also followed the hearse for part of the way. Our deepest, sympathy go out to Mrs Harrison, her three children and relatives in "their sad loss and in their hour of sorrow let this be a comfort to them: Dr Tho«. Harrison was beloved by all. His bright and nappy disposition and his many good actions and services to the suffering has left behind him a big gap in the community. On Saturday morning one of the biggest funerals seen iu Duuediu left the residence of the deceased doctor's "" father, Mr T. C. Harrison, to take silent part in. the last rites. The whole proceedings were of a most impressive and solemn character. Many visitors came from a distance for the special purpose of attending the funeral- and • a long procession of 100 motor cars, covered a mile of the route to Anderson's Bay cemetery. It is estimated that .500 people were present at the graveside. The wreaths sent from Central Otago were all of a most beautiful description. These were from: Alexandra Returned Soldiers, Matakanni Returned Soldiers, the townspeople of Clyde, Cromwell Girl Guides, and the committee, the Cromwell Coronation R.A. Chapter, the Cromwell Bowling Club, '.'■ the' Matakanni Football Club, the Vineent Jockey Club, the Vincent Rugby Sab-union, the Clyde Bowling" Club, the Cromwell Football Club, the Lauder Medical Club, the nurses of Cromwell j Hospital, the Vineent Hospital Board, the matron and sisters of the Cromwell : Hospital, the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, I M.TXXO.OJ., the Cromwell Plunket Society, the Cromwell Kilwinning Lodge, the Cromwell Scouts and Cubs, the Base of Kawarau and Kawarau Lodges. There were six car-loads from Cromwell, and Drs Brokenshire and Serymgconr, Messrs A. C. Seonlar, 8. T. Spain, C. Weaver, n. A. White, P. Edmonds, S. A. Stevens, Jas. Ritehie and numerous other Central Otago mourners. The funeral service was conducted bv the Rev. R. G. M'Dowell, of the St. Clair Presbyterian Church, and at the conclusion of the prayers Service Lodge. - 287, assisted by the W.M. of Cromwell, conducted a Masonic service. The High School Cadets fired three volleys over the grave, after which the "Last Post" was sounded. An idea of the j number and size of the wreaths may Ibe gained when, it !s mentioned that I they covered twenty square yards when placed about the grave. ; ;