OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2002, 9 March 1914, Page 5

OBITUARY.

REV. A. THOMSON, PETONE.

Very great rogret will bo felt at tho . nows of the death of the Rev: A. Thomsqn, minister in charge of tho St. ■ David's Presbyterian Church, Petone, which took placo;at tfie Kensington ~ Street Private Hospital' between 5 a.m. .. and 6 a.m. on Saturday. The late Mr. Thomson only'took ill a few days ago, and not many of his friends in tho Hutt Valley had even heard of his indisposition prior to learning of his death. Deceased was born in Glasgow fifty-six years ago'and came to New Zealand in 1882. For some years lie was stationed- at Patea and Martinborougli, mid, after being ordained as a minister sortie twenty-fivb years ago, was appointed to tho charge of St. David's, Petone, in which district ho had been a prominent figure for many years. His determination and enthusiastic spirit were tho chief factors in bringing about the erection of the fine church ; in Britannia Street, and its later equipment with a pipe organ. In educational ; matters Mr. Thomson was a. fighter for Petono, and members of the Wellington Education Board knew him as one of the, mdst tenacious of doputationists. It-was largely due to'his efforts that a technical school was established in Petone, and for years ho was chairman of • the controlling board and was only re--1 ccntly re-elected to that position.- He also occupied tho position of chairman of the Potono District High School Committee; Mr. Thomson.is survived by a ii'idow and family of four sons and four daughters. Tho funeral will take place this afternoon. A memorial sermon, was preached by tho Rev. J. Kennedy Elliot, Moderator or the Wellington Presbytery, in St. David's Church. Petone, yesterday. Tho preacher took'for his text, "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace" (Psalm 3' =37). The: speaker said lie appeared before those present on this sad and solemn occasion, invested with a dual

commission.' As Jioderator of the Wcl- , lington Presbytery, ho was there to. ex-, ■ press the sincero sorrow of its brethren for the loss of its esteemed member, and' ono who would be much'missed in . its counoils. The speaker was also there 'Vi itli a claim of a strong personal attachment that entitled him to bo heard at a time, like this,- Mr. Elliott spoke very , feelingly of his own personal acquaint- . 'ance with, tlio:kto minister, -and:.how ■ deeply ho felt. his, loss. In a great ' sorrowjliko this, the one book that could offer consolation was the Bible. - On almost overy : pa'go of- sacred Scripture .they would find an .appropriate passago which, would diffuse some comforting light,, and so he liad chosen the text oust announced, Thoy were irresistibly , invited to consider three th'inge—(l) Tho description of a good man; (2) the departure of a good , man; and (3) the duties and sorrowe of a good man. The speaker, proceeded to exemplify these three points,, and how ,they applied to the late minister. - -. - . ' . ;■ .. At St. Augustine's Church, Petone, "■ the f'Dead March in Saul" was ployed yesterday as a tribute to the memory of tho lato Mr. Thomson, while tho hymn "On the Resurrection Morning" was sung. ...- .'..'. .- . .... ' - Tlie Rev. Mr. S. Stephenson expreseed liis ow : n synipathy. and_ that of his congregation with the relatives and congregation of .the late royerend gentle- ■ man and asked, those present for their prayers for. them. .: At the Salvation Army holiness meetine at Petone yesterday morning Adjutant Hullzuist, officer in charge of the "■'■ corps made feeling reference to the deatli ■ of Mr. Thomson, aiid expressed the sym- • i'pathy.iof:. the.officere>aiuksoldiers with .Wthe'farbilyrdn'iilleirftime.'ofi.bereanfement, ■ arid also with-the members of the' church ; -wlio:liad lost its esteemqd'pastor. Tlie '■■:lar^e, congregation-stood -frhile Staff Cap' : " tain engaged in prayer 5 .■ •-; /'■ :■'

~. ; MR. PERCY DOWNES. , ' ■ ''•■■• Tlie death occurred suddenly on Frii. day night, of Mr. Percy Marshall Waind ~ Dowries, well and popularly known in Wellington, and tlie son of the late Mr. .-. F. S. Downes. Deceased, wno was only 35 years of age, was in normal, health . on Friday, but.had an attack of haemorrhage on Friday evening, causing death. Mr. Downes controlled the , Downes Estate on behalf of the beneficiaries. Ho was a brother of Messrs. G. AY and W.S., Downes, dentists, of Cuba Street. ' , .