THE LATE MR TOMS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 144, 16 June 1909, Page 3

THE LATE MR TOMS.

Death from heart failure was the verdict returned by Mr Scott-Smith, S.M., at the inquest at Picton upon Mr Joseph Thorns, whose sudden death occurred on board a motor launch on Friday evening. The Picton Press gives the following details, obtained in an interview with. Mr Jas. Norton (Te Awaiti and Mr Geo. Kenny (Okukuri.) Mr Toms appeared to bo in good health until the day of his death. At breakfast time, he complained of acute internal pains, and it was deemed advisable to take' him to Picton to enable him to consult a doctor. Unfortunately. Mr and Mrs James Jackson had set out for Picton at an earlier hour, and there was no motor launch available at Te Awaiti. However, by means of the telephone— which, in this case, as well as in many others, has proved of inestimable value to the people of the Sounds— & message was sent to Mr Geo. Kenny, of Okukuri. With commendable promptitude, that gentleman arrived at Te Awaiti in his motor launch, and Mr Toms was placed on board. He was accompanied by Miss Toms and Mr Norton. A start was then made for Picton, the launch being sent along at top speed. No thoughts of sudden serious developments were entertained by the occupants of the launch until about half the distance had been traversed, when Mr Toms appeared to become delirious. Whei^ just about off Picton Point, he sat down after pacing the deck, and a few minutes afterwards expired calmly in his daughter's arms. On arrival at Picton, where the news rapidly spread and caused quite a gloom of sorrow to pervade the town, the lifeless body was conveyed to the Hospital Morrnie, there to await the result of the Coroner's inquiry. This over, the sad party returned home to Te Awaiti, where the funeral ceremony was conducted with all dne solemnity, the faithful old settler being laid beside the body or his loving wife and those of his parents. Thft late Mr Toms was 67 years of age, and was the second white-child torn at Te Awaiti. He was the son of Mr Joseph Toms, who arrived in New Zealand in the very early days, and had charge of the whaling station at a time when Te Awaiti attracted" whaling ships from various parts of the world. It was the scene of considerable activity in those times. In Captain Wakefield'g "Travel*

Through New Zealand," about seventy years ago, the elder Mr Toms is referred to as one of our sturdy pioneers. In fact he was one of "Dicky" Barrett's original whaleboat crew of 1822, in which year Barrett founded the whaling settlement at the head of Tory Channel. As we have previously stated, his son was born at Te Awaiti and there he remained until the day of his death. In his youth, he followed the strenu-

ous, exciting and somewhat dangerous occupation of a whaler; and was possessed of all the grit and pluck for which he and his companions—the sturdy Te Awaiti settlers of to-day-are noted. He married Miss Keenan (a sister of the late Mrs Norton), but his wife died many years ago. The children of the marriage are:—Mrs ■Bolton, Pahautanui; Miss Anne Toms, at present on a holiday visit in the North Island; Mrs F. Tetley, Havelock; Mrs Draper and Miss Emma Toms, both in the North; Miss Minnie Toms, who was with her father at the time of his death; Mr William Toms, a member of the whaling party at Campbell Island; Mr Thos. Toms, in a survey camp in Pelorus Sound; Mr Edward "Toms, of the Wellington Post Office staff; 'and Mr Sydney Toms, Te Awaiti. When the work ot chasing whales became too strenuous for him, Mr Toms devoted himself to tending sheep on property he acquired at Te Awaiti, and, as a settler, he proved himself to be one of those to whom the development of New Zealand is largely due—to whom obstacles were as nothing but things to be overcome. He was a tall, robustlooking man, with fine, rugged features, and eyes from which kindness and honesty absolutely shone. In Picton, he had a very wide circle ot friends, especially among the older residents, who knew and appreciated his sterling worth. Ho was a man ot acts, not of words, and was appreciated accordingly. To the members of his family we express our sincere sympathy in their sudden bereavement. A' pathetic feature of the sad affair is that Mr William Toms will not receive the news until about the middle or July, when the Government steamer Hinemoa will call at Campbell Island.