OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17254, 2 September 1919, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MR. WILLIAM J. THOMPSON.

Mr. William John Thompson, who died recently at Te Awamutn, at the age of 79, was one of the early pioneers in .that district. He was a native of County Down, Ireland, and arrived at Auckland in 1863. Shortly afterwards he entered the employ of "Mr. J. Dilworth, at Newmarket, but subsequently went to Tamaki, where he joined the Howick Volunteer Corps, with whom he saw considerable military service. In 1867, Mr. Thompson joined the Thames gold rush. Five years later he purchased a farm at Te Awamutu, where he resided up to the time of his death. During the early years of his residence in that district the journey to Auckland occupied four days of arduous travelling. Mr. ; Thompson was a member of the Board of Management of the Presbyterian Church at Te Awamutn until a few years ago, and was for many years associated with the Te Rahu School Committee. He, was also a keen sport and a fine rifle shot. He is survived by Mrs. Thompson and a grown-up family Messrs. W. J. Thompson, of Te Rahu, and H. H. Thompson, of Te Awamutu, and Mesdames E. Bridgeman, Te Awamutu, R. J- Flay, Te Bahu, and D. Bryant, Hamilton.