THE LATE DR. THOMSON

New Zealander, Volume XVII, Issue 1570, 4 May 1861, Page 6

THE LATE DR. THOMSON

The news of the sudden death, in Chin#, ot Thomson, formerly of the 58th Regiment, an lately among us, will strike a sorrowful cho* the breasts of many in New Zealand. Fnen , who fondly anticipated his return, those w knew him as a kindly-hearted and estimable nsi and those who only regarded him in a rnorepu capacity, as one who felt and practically s " 0 ' his deep interest in the welfare of this ° n 'k e whose talents and researches were devoted to development of its resources, will all, thoug different degrees, regret his premature loss, haps it may be permitted to one, who . during many years his friendship, and who many happy, and, it is hoped, useful Lours in society, to write a short tribute to his memory* Dr. Thomson had, in great measure, the q* l * ties which win general esteem, and secure a* friendship. A retiring but genial tenipera a modest disposition, and a kindness of ‘ ie ®. ’ r flr regardless of self and full of considerate others, however humble, endeared him to a knew him. Skilful in his profession, an ge in his attention to the sick, he was loved 7 patients; and while he scrupulously * vol ® gf much as possible private practice, either wi . without fee, lest he should interfere wit ~* practitioners, he frequently, in hifc medical cap charitably administered t6 the wants of thos had no claim except their illness and desti ■ llis general abilities were of a high and rpre Q His mind was observant, and his memory te n o • Methodical in the arrangement of ampi le . ij tt thus accumulated, he was also cool and log his conclusions. His practical common sen# his instinctive appreciation of (ruth were. remarkable lban his quick discern m ® n motives, and his correct judgment of the jj, ters, of others. His powef of desenp writing was great, and hie style ww ““

• _le and graphic. Without the slightest ostenS his study and knowledge of books were There is scarcely a book on New rflTor bearing the remotest reference to it, m Ids own book testifies, which he had not dihJpntlv and carefully perused. , g Dr Thomson, during his twelve years residence •« this colony, employed all bis available leisure ? frequent excursions into the interior, and to the different settlements, and m constant observation of the natural, abor.gmal, and colonial condition of the country. He occasionally wrote papers, which have been published m the Parlia?Jnt ’ v Blue Books in England, relating to the Sate of these islands, and to the state of the native race. These papers are universally aeknowfid to be interesting and valuable contnbuto to science. His paper on the climate of New Zealand, written more than ten years ago, has Excited notice far and wide, and has induced many emicr-nts from England and India to find comfort, and often restored hea’th in this colony. Scarcely a book or review has been written during the last ten years, about New Zealand, which does not refer to and largely quote from, the contents of iianer. His chief and last work, however, has been “ A Story of New Zealand,” which he published on his return to England. It is the result of the accumulated stores of his own experience and observation; and its value as a repertory of facts, a standard work of reference, and as the opinion of an intelligent and impartial obser,er in connexion with the colony—the origin and’condition of the native race, and the natural LiVorv of these islands. —is beyond all praise. As a general account of New Zealand, and of its aboriginal and colonial inhabitants, no work has ever hitherto, or, probably for a long time to come, will at all approach it in comprehensiveness, accuracy and elaborate research. Dr. Thomson’s wish ever since his departure has been to return and take up his permanent abode in the Province of Auckland. Two years more, and he would have been able, by bis retirement’from the army on lull pay, to gratify this wish. The following brief extracts from a private letter written by him “ .50 miles from Pekin,” in September last, only a month or so before his death, to a friend in Auckland, show, with almost a prophetical apprehension on his part of disappointment, the earnest longing of this desire. He writes : “ Don’t yon go out of Auckland 1 have not lost a bit my wish to die in New Zea land, although many new names are in the papers, and 1 have been nearly two years away Giye my regards to any person that I know. What I would give to look for an hour on the Waitemata.” Deo aliter visum est. He who penned these last words to his Auckland friends died far, far away from their sight, and his form mingles with strange dust in a strange land, but his memory will long be cherished near that Waitemata which he loved so well, and fondly hoped to see again.