SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10621, 17 March 1896, Page 6

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Continued from page 3.

DEATH OP INSPECTOR

J. B. THOMSON.

Patea, March 2.

Police Inspector J. B. Thomson, who was attacked by apoplexy at Kakaramea on Thursday, and has been lying in the hospital here ever since, suffered a relapse on Saturday evening, to which he succarabad lost night. The body is to be removed to New Plymouth for burial.

[On the discovery of gold in Southland the police force there were reorganised by the late Inspector Weldon, who selected Mr J. B. Thomson (who had previously served in the "Victorian force) for tho position of chief detective. Hundreds of men were at that time—about 1864—dumped down at the Blufi to iind their way to the Lukes, Nokomai, Switzers, and other places. Many of these men were somewhat undesirable characters, and Mr Thomson's duties were arduous in the extreme. I«ter, when work was commenced on the Blufl and Great Northern railways byMr'J. R. Davis, the contractor, there was an invasion of navvies, who often displayed a disposition to take possession on pay day. One of tho clovcreßt captures made by the deceased gentleman was that of two men who had garrotted and robbed a jewoller in Tay street, Invercargill, while conveying his valuables to his home in the evening. These men were arrested whila working with a gang of navvies. Mr Thomson was afterwards transferred to Dnnedin, and later on to the north, where he became inspector. While st luTOrcargill he was married, and he leaves a widow and family.]