OBITUARY.

Northland Age, Volume 16, Issue 16, 9 January 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY.

It IS with deep regret we have to chronicle the death of the oldest and most esteemed pioneer settler of this district in the person of Mr. Thomas Coulter, who died suddenly of heart failure on New Year’s Eve. Deceased was born in 1842 at Ballagmcna, county Antrim, Ireland. While quite a young man he emigrated to Canada where he spent six years prior to his sailing for New Zealand in the good ship "Waikato.” Arriving in Auckland in 1879, be married in the following year and resided there until he finally settled in Fairburn on the 23rd October, 1881. The aspect of the district at that time was far from promising. Absence of roads and consequent lack of communication increased the hardship of the settler who had to walk 45 miles to his work at Kaeo, and carry provisions on his back from Mangonui. Nevertheless in spite of all these handicaps the settler persevered and land high in fern was

soon made to bear profitable crops. During his long residence in the district, by the exercise of his great tact and personal judgment he . endeared himself to all, by whom he was held in profound

esteem. Indeed it would have been very hard to find a man who realised more clearly his duty towards his fellow men; for his name is associated with numerous acts of benevolence. Such works, however, were merely characteristic of his great personality. A man of large ideas gnd deep sympathy he was ever capable

of any act of which his fellows might benefit.

As might be expected he took a keen interest in the affairs of the district and matters pertaining to its welfare were of prime importance in his estimation. He was for many years a member of the local School Committee in whose service he did good work. As the outcome of his generous and sympathetic nature the district has a permanent memorial in the shape of the present church site which was donated by him. The internment took place in Fairburn cemetery and was attended by a very large and representative gathering, the Rev. G. H. Cule conducting the service. The deceased leaves a widow, four sons and twelve grandchildren to mourn .his loss. The sons are Messrs. J. P. Coulter, T. J, Coulter, R. B, Coulter, and Sergeant W. H. Coulter. The three former are well established and prominent settle-is in this neighbourhood. The latter is at present serving in France with the New Zealand Fiejd Engineers. Deepest sympathy is extended to all the bereaved.