OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MAORI WAR VETERAN. Another old colonist and veteran passed away on Sunday evening at his residence, the Strand, Mechanics' Bay, in the person of Thomas James Whelan. Arriving in Auckland in 1803, in the 12th Regiment, he saw service under General Cameron hi the Waikato. On retiring from that regiment, he joined the A.C. Force, seeing service under Colonels Wbitmore, Harrington, McDonald, and Roberts, in the Taranaki and Wanganui districts, and then was ordered to Tauranga and Poverty Bay districts. Being a, rough rider and of fearless character, he was engaged as dispatch carrier to outposts, having many thrilling experiences. After the settlement of the native dispute, he was placed as constable at Tauranga, where he remained 23 years; was then at Waihi for four years, and at Paeroa for five years. When he resigned from the force four years ago, he was appointed custodian of the Native Hostlery, Mechanics' Bay. At the time of his death he was a member of the Veterans' Association. He received two medals for services. Deceased was a member of Lodge Waihi, No. 112, Freemasons; a member of the Royal Oak Court, A.0.F.; a charter member and many years secretary and also on the vestry of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Symonds-street. The funeral will leave his late residence on Wednesday, at 2 p.m., and after a short service at St. Paul's, it will proceed thence to Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga. While in charge of Waihi, in the execution of his duties he was murderously attacked by a semi-lunatic with a soldering iron and knocked senseless, and so otherwise kicked and knocked about that for some time his life was despaired of. His eyesight, which was affected during the attack, was subsequently restored, but he was informed liy his medical advisers that there were internal injuries, which would affect him later in lifa. This proved to be the case, for about three weeks ago he fell ill, as the result, hi 3 medical adviser said, of the rough •handling he received at Waihi. He rallied for a brief period, but following on a sudden attack early on Sunday morning, he expired shortly after six o'clock that evening. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. E. J. Jones, of Sydney, and Mrs. M. J. Sheanan, of Auckland, and Mrs. R. James, of Auckland. As deceased was in the 12th First, and saw service during the Maori war, the King's Empire Veterans will attend the funeral.