OBITUARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 20

OBITUARY.

Captain George Thomas, whoso loss will he regretted by many old citizens, had been a familiar figure in this city for many years. A native of YValee, the deceased gentleman “followed the sea” from the time of his leaving school until he settled in Melbourne about,lßßo. During the greater part of that period he commanded his own vessel, and 4;fter being in business as a merchant in Melbourne for some time, he as/ain took up bis old profession, having command of a s.earner belonging to the Queensland Government. In 1868 he settled in Wellington, having been appointed by the Panama Mail Company as their mariueinspectorin New Zealand. Severing bis connection from the Company some years later —just before their mail contract expired—he started in business on his own account as an auctioneer and commission age nr in the premises on the corner next the Central Hotel, and afterward 'removed to Panama-street, where, with Mr F. W. Haybittle as his partner, he had lemained in business ever since. At the time of his death Captain Thomas was 75 years of age. He was not suffering from any particular disease, but had been weakening for some time, and on Saturday morning ho was found dead m his bed, having apparently died a painless death in his sleep. Although not one of the earliest settlers, Captain Thomas’ long residence in this city, and his genial and kindly disposition, had made him an identity in Wellington for many years. He leaveß one daughter, Mrs W. H. Quick, of this city, to mourn her loss. The mortal remains of the deceased were interred on Sunday afternoon, when a large number of citizens paid a last tribute to his memory. The funeral services were conducted by the Wesleyan clergymen of the city. By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright (per press association.) London, January 14. Obituary.—Lord Napier of Magdala 33 tat 79, and Lord Cairns. Both these noblemen fell victims _ to influenza, aggravated in Lord Cairns case by pneumonia. [Robert Cornelia Napier was a son of Major C. v . Napier of the Royal Artillery, and was born in Ceylon in 1810. He was educated at the Military College, Addescornbe, and entered the Bengal Engineers in IS2B, and served with distinction in the Sutlej Campaign, at the conclusion of which, having attained the rank of Major, he was selected by the late Sir Henry Lawrence for the responsible post of So the Durbar of Lahore. He was by this soosition enabled to acquire that special knowledge of the Panjaub and its resources qo essential to a judicious development of the latter, should the tide of events necessitate the undertaking of such a.task by the Indian Government. He was constantly referred to when Moolraj rebelled on a 1 questions connected with the reduction of Mooltan, at the siege of which he was present as Senior Engineer, and at its fall accomwarned Geneial Wish’s force to the fords of the Chenaub, where, after the junction with the main army under Lord Gough, he served as one of Sir John Cheape’s “ right hand men at the battle of Goojerat. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and named Chief Engineer under the new Punjaub administration. He covered that almost trackless country with arteries of military and commercial highways and magnificent canals. He bui't numerous public buildings barr&elts &c. He afterward became Chief Engineer of Bengal. During the mutiny of 11857 hs3 served as Chief Engineer with the army of Sir Colin Campbell. His services in China as second in command under S2r Hope Grant are well known, and ho was rewarded by being made MajorGeneral and a K.C.B and a military member ot the Council of India. In 1867 he was appointed to fclxo command of the expedition sent to Abyssinia. He defeated King Theodore on April 10,1868, and stormed the city of Magdala on April 13. On Sir Robert’s return to England he received the thanks of Parliament, and the sum of £*.ooo per annum was settled on him and his next heir in consideration of his services He was elevated to the peerage by the title of Baron Napier of Magdala. I# January 1870 was appointed Commander-In-Chief o ithe forces in India, and Governor of Gibraltar in Jane 1876. In 1886 he was appointed High Constable of the Tower of London.] Lord Cairns, who was born in 1861, was the elhesfc sou of the late Lord Chancellor ot li.„«Wi, and .a few years ago was made /am,. us by being defendant m a breaoh of mise case brought against him by a tU cniatiny actress, M'S* Fortes cue,. HeinSi. f«fced £143,000 personalty from his father, an,i w.o* Private Secretary a the Secretary of St-te for Scotland.