THE DEATH OF MR. THOMAS WHATOFF WEBSTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9369, 20 May 1889, Page 5

THE DEATH OF MR. THOMAS WHATOFF WEBSTER.

It is my painful duty, says our Pukekaroro '. correspondent, to record the death of' another old and well-known settler of : Kaiwaka, Mr. Thomas Whatoff Webster. The deceased gentleman took up his abode in the abovenamed settlement about 29 years ago, following the occupation of a farmer up to the time of his decease. Mr. Webster was born at Desford, Leicestershire, in the year 1831. The deceased had a thorough knowledge of farming, and nob unfrequently was it his good fortune to raise some of the largest crops grown in this district. The late Mr. Webster was gifted with more than ordinary intelligence, hud considerable force of character, was full of determination, and possessed a wonderful amount of self-control. Strongly given to politics, the deceased was a careful reader of Hansard and other Parliamentary records, and was a keen observer of the actions of colonial statesmen and minor politicians. The late Mr. Webster was well up as to the administrative functions of our several local governing bodies, being at times connected in one way or other with the whole, and when in the fulfilment of his many public and private trusts, it can bo said of him that no other man gave more readily of his time than the deceased gentleman. 11 is willing and ready pen has been often called into requisition by those unable to express their thoughts sufficiently intelligibly through epistolary medium. The late Mr. Webster had not been in the best of health for a considerable time past, but it was not until within the last few weeks that his immediate friends were made aware that there was anything seriously wrong witli him The appearance of dropsy proved his condition to be very precarious. The deceased would not consent to medical advice being sought until about a week prior to his death, when Dr. Mountaine was summoned. The doctor pronounced his case hopeless, death occurring on the evening of Tuesday, May 7. The deceased passed painlessly away in his 58th year. The mortal remains of Air. T. W. Webster were conveyed to the llakaru Church on Thursday, the 9th instant, being followed by the family of deceased, and a goodly number of friends and neighbours, notwithstanding that a heavy rain kept falling during the clay. At the church the Rev. Mr. Tobin conducted the service for the dead in a solemn and earnest manner, and briefly reviewed the life and labours of the deceased, ami announced the fact that their departed friend had finished his earthly course with a prospect of eternal life. The coffin, which bore a beautiful floral wreath, sent by the Misses Bowmar, was afterwards committed to its final rest, the grave closing over one that will be long remembered for his past actions, and the absence of his presence will be felt in many a future gathering of his friends and admirers. ' The deepest sympathy is widely felt for Mrs. Webster and her children under this sudden and sail bereavement.