OBITUARY. FORMER MINE MANAGER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 5 August 1925, Page 8

OBITUARY.

FORMER MINE MANAGER.

MR. J. R. THOMAS.

A resident of Penrose, Mr. Joseph Richard Thomas, died yesterday, aged 70 years. Born in Bendigo, Mr. Thomas spent hia early days on the goldfields, at the period when the bushrangers made matters lively. He could tell many interesting stories of the life on goldfields ill tho curly daya, including reminiscences of the riot at Ballarat. Mr. Thomas wag appointed manager of the Prince of Wales mine, near Dunedin, about fifty years ego. Later he came to Auckland and carried on bußinees until three years ago, when age necessitated his retirement. Deceased is survived by hie son, Mr. D. L. Thomas, and two daughters, Mesdaraes T. Moor, aud F. SchratTt.

MR. JAMES WHITFORD.

One of the few remaining Mangere pioneera passed away yesterday, at Mangere, in the person of Mr. James Whitfortl, at the advanced aged of 84. Mr. Whifcfoixl was one of the early settlers to take up hind at Mangerc. That was before the first bridge; was built at Mangcrc, and people had to cross the Manuka-j Harbour by ferry boat. Some time ago Mr. WMtford mot with an accident and dislocated his hip, which prevented him from taking any further active interest in the welfare of the district. He hnd been a member of the Mangere Methodist Church forover fifty years, and was one of the oldest Methodists in the Onehunga circuit. He is survived by his widow.

MR. EDMUND SOMERVILLE.

Mr. Edmund Somerville, eheepfarmer, of Okoroire, New Zealand, who passed away in Calgary, Canada, on June 23 last." has been *a prominent figure in farming affairs in this province for a great many years. He was a director of the Farmers' Union Trading Company and the Farmers' Fertiliser Company, and was for many years an executive member of the Farmers' Union. He had gone to Canada and the United States of America, accompanied by Mrs. Somerville, on a health trip to recuperate after a serious operation. Mr. Somerville leaves a widow and seven children. Mrs. Somerville is returning by the Aorangi on the 16th inst.

MRS. JOHN PITT.

LINK WITH EARLY AUCKLAND. Another of the connecting links of Auckland's early days passed away in the person of Mrs. J. Jitt, one of the oldest and best-known residents of Par.nell, who died yesterday. The deceased arrived here in 1804, and two years later was married to the late Mr. John Fitt, who was for many years closely identified with the public life of Parnell before that borough became part of Greater Auckland, and whose family have resided in that suburb since the early 'forties of last century. Her husband predeceased her by seventeen years. A cultured lady of genial and benevolent disposition, and possessed of the indomitable spir : t and sterling qualities characteristic of so many of the early pioneere, the deceased was highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends, many of whom are of lifelong standing. The late Mrs. Fitt is survived by a family of two daughters. Mrs. F. J. Worthington and Mrs. E. Somerville, two sons, the eldest, Mr. Krank Fitt, vvcll known in business circles in this city, and five grandchildren. The funeral will take ]>!ace to-morrow morning at the Symonds Street cemetery.