OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16314, 22 February 1915, Page 3

OBITUARY

I)R J. B. THOMSON. About 10 a.m. on Saturday the police vvoro advised that Dr John Hell Thomson, itgcd 45 yi'&rs, had been found dead in Ins bed at Ins residence, 211 C-argill street. I'ne circumstances surrounding Uiti death arc sikJi that an inquest will be held aL the residence at 10 a.m. to-day before Air C. <J. Graham (district coroner). The deceased practised lus profession at Arrowtown for a, number of years, and iie also practised at Kuitangata. Ho held the position of medical inspector of schools at Auckland until al»out four months ago, when he was fii-anted leave of absence owing to Ixdne; in indifferent health. He was a wellknown representative footballer in his day. He played for the llirli School, Pirates, and University. He represented his province in 12 nn.tohes. Jle was one of the best backs Otago ever had. He played against . oddart's English team in 1888.

John i.ell Thomson, or "Jack," as he ■was known to all those who were associated with him, was one of the most distinguished boys that the High School iias ever produced, and his early death, coming as it has done with such suddenness, will causo a great shook to all his friends, and particularly to those old. boys of tho school who were associated with him for so many years. He -was a brilliant scholar, and was dux of tho school in 1835, when only in his sixteenth year. But it is cliiefiy as an athlete that he was famous, and it is safe to say that he was the finest all-round athlete that every wore the blue-and-white jersey. Along with Dr Irwin Hunter, he had the distinguished honour of representing his provinco in football when he was still a schoolboy, and his wonderful skill as a half back, with his accurate punting with either foot and his tricky, dodgy running, will be talked of by footballers who knew him as long as the game is played. In cricket he was captain of tho eleven for throe years, and frequently had to do the lion's share of the -work, both as a batsman and a howler. He never lost any of his enthusiasm for his old school and its doings in the athletic field, and nothing gave him greater pleasure when he came to town than to go and see tho boys playing football or cricket. As a matter of fact he spent last Saturday week on the cricket ground in the afternoon watching the school eleven play their match. Ho was a true " sport" in every sense of tho word, and his quiet, unassuming manner endeared him to all those with whom he came in contact. Subjoined is his record: — ■Junior and senior provincial scholar; junior University scholar; dux of Otago Boys' High School 1885; M.B.C.M. Edinburgh 1892. Athletics: Cricket eleven. 1883F6 (captain 1885 and 86) ; Football Fifteen, 1885-86 (captain * ISBS and 1886); Otago Football Fifteen, 1885-88. School sports, 1834-86: Record in high jump (sft 4jin), 120 yds Hurdres, Long Jump.

SIR R. L. LUCAS-TOOTH. LONDON, February 20. (Received Feb. 21, at 5.50 p.m.) Sir Robert Lucas Lucas-Tooth is dead. [Sir Robert Lucas Lucas-Tooth (knighted 1906) was a Bon of tho late Mr Ldwm Tooth, of Craubrook, Kent, and assumed by Royal license the name and arms of Lucas-Tooth. He was educated at Eton, and in 1863 contested an election for East Sydney, but was defeated. He represented Monaro in tho New South Wales Legislative Assembly in two Parliaments, and was appointed Commissioner for Canada by the Marquis of Lome, Governor-general of that dominion at tho time. In 1879 ho s;it on the Council of the New South Wales Exhibition. Ho returned to England in 1883. He was chairman of directors of the London Board of the Bank of New South Wales.]