OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2766, 24 August 1931, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR. SAMUEL JAMISON LAUGHLIN. There passed away at his home, Epsom Avenue, Mount Eden, yesterday evening, after a short illness, Mr Samuel Jamison Laughlin, who for over" thirty years has resided in Netherton, and for a similar period at Thames. . He had been in indifferent health since leaving Netherton and recently spent three weeks in the Auckland Hospital. Mr Laughlin was born in 1858 at Cumber, near Belfast, Ireland, and came to New Zealand with his father in 1866. In the following year, a few months after the opening of the Thames goldfield, the family moved to Thames, and at the age of, fifteen Mr Laughlin began to earn his living by working in Various mines on the Hauraki goldfield. He followed that •occupation for about thirty years and was engaged in some of the principal batteries and mines at Thames, first as amalgamator, then as battery manager, and 'finally as mine manager. At one time Mr Laughlin had charge of the Dart Battery and the Ivanhoe Battery, and was* appointed manager of the Company’s mine in 'September, 1896. He held many letters from the companies by, whom he had. been employed, testifying# to his ability as a competent miner and * amalgamator, and was considered, a thoroughly reliable manager. He, was married' 1 at Wairoa South • in 1893 to Miss Anne L. M. Wilson, daughter of the late James Sangster Wilson, an early settler of that district. ’ While at Thames Mr Laughlin was for five years a member of the Thames Volunteer Naval 'Brigade. About thirty years ago Mr Laughlin ■ gave up mining and .took up a block 'of landat Netherton. He farmed this , until September last, when on account •of his. wife’s health he went to reside . in Auckland. < / The respect in which he was held by the. people of Netherton was shown at .his farewell function, at whicli he was presented with an illuminated address. He was one of the original promoters of the Netherton Hall, a member of the Netherton branch of the Farmers’ Union, has represented the combined counties on the Thames Harbour Board since 1902, and represented the Netherton Riding on the Ohinemuri County Council from 1908 to 1919. All these positions he filled with' dignity and credit. He-'is' survived by his wife and a brother. The interment will.be at Paeroa tomorrow afternoon. • ■ '