OBITUARY

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31582, 20 January 1968, Page 19

OBITUARY

Mr B. N. Thomas Mr Bernard Noel Thornes, who died at Timaru on Wednesday, was a part owner of Killermont Run, Omarama. He was '65. The only son of the late Dr and Mrs C. E. Thomas, of Timaru, Mr Thomas was educated at the Waihi School and Christ’s College, where he gained his swimming colours. In 1933 he began a threeyear course at Lincoln College, gaining a diploma in agriculture. He also was a member of the college Rugby first XV for three seasons. Mr Thomas worked as a cadet on Bangor Station, Darfield, in 1926-27, and until he bought the Killermont holding in 1932 he later formed the property into a company —he worked as a musterer on high-country runs throughout New Zealand. Mr Thomas served in the New Zealand Defence Force in 1940-42 as a lieutenant in the Otago Mounted Rifles. A foundation member of the Omarama Rabbit Board in 1948, he was chairman of the board from 1951 to 1965. He was a member of the Waimate, South Canterbury and Canterbury Hunts, and a keen follower of steeplechasing, competing with considerable success at point-to-points. For many years Mr Thomas was also an honorary ranger of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society. At the time of his death he was a member of the South Canterbury Club, the South Canterbury Jockey Club, the South Canterbury and Waimate Hunts, the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Masonic Lodge, Kurow. In 1937 Mr Thomas married Miss Betty Harper, one of Canterbury’s best - known horsewomen. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.