DIAMOND WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 10

DIAMOND WEDDING.

MR. AND MRS. W. THOMPSON.

EARLY BIRKENHEAD SETTLERS.

DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT.

The diamond wedding of Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson, of Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, will be celebrated to-day. Mr. Thompson was 84 years old on December 9 and his wife is six months younger. Mr,' Thompson, who is the head of over 80 descendants, was born at Wakefield, Yorkshire, and came of a large family, being the 17th member in a family of 21, and he is the only one of this number now living. His first wife died when their son was an infant. Later he married Miss Maria Stanley and came to New Zealand with his wife and the three children in the ship Countess of Kintore. They settled at Birkenhead, where they have continuously resided for ;>6 years. A shipmate, Mr. James Walton, who subsequently started business as a flourmiller Cambridge, and Mr. Thompson were both managing clerks to firms of solicitors and they were counted foolish to venture to come to this new country without experience or knowledge of farming. Mr. Walton is now resident at Ellerslie.

The Thompson family took up ten acres of land at Birkenhead, their neighbours being the late Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Wilson. They raised vegetables for the market and also strawberries and fruit. As time went on, the products of the orchard found a market throughout New Zealand, a consequent development being the foundation of the firm o£ Messrs. Thompson and Hills in Auckland. The ferry to Auckland in those early days was an open boat from Stokea' .Point, now known as Northcote. This craft used sail when the wind was favourable, but when a strong westerly was blowing passengers were landed on the eastern side of Stokes' Point and at low water were carried ashore on the backs of the crew. Stokes' Point was a good trading place at this period, because the country people and gumdiggera going to towu could stable their horsea at the hostelry at Northcote and return to this point when their business in Auckland had been transacted. The outlet to what is now Birkenhead was also by a track through Northcote. Mr. Thompson was actively associated with the local government of the district, which he represented as a member of the Waitemata County Council for many years. He was also president of the Fruitgrowers' Association. He wad present when the district school at Northcote was opened, Mr. Joseph Glenny being the first headmaster. Discussing the early development of Birkenhead, Mr. Thompson said he con_ sidered the cutting-up of the blocks of land owned by the late Sir Frederick Whittaker, for whom he acted as agent in the matter, was what really gave the "district a start. This land was surveyed by the late Mr. F. Hammond into blocks of from - 20 to 26 acres and small cash deposits were accepted. These areas were situated in the centre of Northcot* and Birkenhead and t,heir disposal meant many new settlers. Birkdale was at that time" uninhabited, being used. as a run Ten of the eleven children of MrThompson are living.