DEATH OF MR. G. T. WILKINSON

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13094, 6 February 1906, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. G. T. WILKINSON

AN INTERESTING CAREER

News of the death of Air. George Thomas Wilkinson, Government Native Agent in the Waikato and King Country, was received in Auckland yesterday. It appears that the late Mr. Wilkinson was in good health when lie had tea at Otorohanga at half-past five on Sunday afternoon, but five hours later a man named Osbrond found him lying on the floor of the railway station, quite dead.

The late Mr. Wilkinson, whose death will be received with deep regret by a wide circle of friends, arrived in New Zealand in 1864, and took a very prominent part in native affairs. On his arrival he joined Major Heaphy's staff, and started at once for the Waikato, in order to make a, survey of the confiscated lands. While the boundaries of the township of Kihikihi were being marked out, the natives were discovered erecting their memorable pa, and it was here that the deceased gentleman received his baptism of fire. Air. Wilkinson continued with the surveying party on the frontier for some time assisting in the surveys, and at times made raids into the enemy's country as far as Kopua, and even beyond, at great personal risk. He went from Waikato to Tauranga, and, with Mr. F. J. fitting, assisted in laying off the township of Te Papa; but soon after settled down on land at Waioeka, near Opotiki, with Messrs. Livingstone, Moore,' and Biggs, where he had the most wonderful escape of his life possible from a sudden attack of Maoris, two of the party, viz., Messrs. Moore and Biggs, falling victims in the attack. He returned to Tauranga. The surveyors, being stopped in their work by hostile natives, formed themselves into an engineering company with Skeet as their captain and Oundry their lieutenant ; and. smarting under the massacre of his two companions, Mr. Wilkinson joined forthwith, and was present at the engagements which took place at Te Akeake and Taumata. At. Te Akeake Mr. Woolley was shot in the groin, and Mr. Wilkinson had to defend him until assistance arrived. He was also present at the skirmishes at Te Irihanga and Te Whakamarama. The Hauraki goldfields having been, discovered Mr. Wilkinson proceeded to that district, and his knowledge of the Maori language gained him the appointment of interpreter to the Resident Magistrate's Court, where he was called upon to translate the goldfields deeds of lease to the Ohinemuri natives. For this he was complimented by the late Sir Donald McLean. The Government wishing for correct information, respecting the native feeling at Te Kuiti (the Maori King's headquarters) sent Mr. Wilkinson up some time after the outrage committed on Mr. Mackay, which service he performed very satisfactorily. In -1878 he was appointed assistant land purchase officer to the late Mr. J. W. Preece (who then held the districts of Thames, Ohinemuri. and Coromandel), and was subsequently appointed principal native officer for the whole of the Waikato district. He held this appointment until his death. The deceased gentleman was largely instrumental in pacifying the natives in the King Country some 23 years ago, and accompanied the Hon. J. Bryce (who was then Native .Minister) as interpreter on his memorable journey through the locality. He was also native agent at Alexandra, before the opening of the King Country, and it Mas largely owing to his influence that the opposition of the natives to the opening of the King Country was overcome. He was afterwards stationed at Otorohanga. and was appointed president of the Maori Council for the district. The late Mr. Wilkinson was a man of a quiet, unassuming disposition, and wais very popular.

The deceased was 62 years of age. He leaves a wife and six children. An inquest will he held.