OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8

OBITUARY

MB THOMAS COOP. Through the death of Mr Thomas Coop, which occurred at his residence on February 18, the Roxburgh district (writes our correspondent) loses one of its oldest residents, and Otago another of its fast diminishing band of pioneers. The late Mr Coop was born in London in 1838. He left school at 10 years of age and at 15 was following the arduous occupation of a bushman. In 1853 he arrived in Melbourne, and for eight years he worked in various parts of Victoria and Tasmania. On the outbreak of the Gabriel’s Gully rush, in 1861, he came to New Zealand, but only remained a short time, returning to Victoria. The following year found him bock again, arid for some five or six years he lived at Cromwell, where he was engaged at various pursuits. While there he cut the timber for the first bridge over the Molyneux River. In 1863 he joined the Post and Telegraph Department as lineman between Queenstown and Tokomairiro, now known as Milton, and acquiring a knowledge of telegraphy he became an operator and was appointed postmaster at the former place. Five years later he' was transferred to Roxburgh, where he remained for 32 years, retiring on superannuation 19 years ago. Since his retirement he had been living quietly in different places, but eventually he returned to Roxburgh. a As a public officer the late Mr Coop will long be remeliibered by the older residents of the district as a man full of courtesy and obliging to a degree. To many in the early days of the town he was both adviser and guide. The pioneers of those times were not blessed with much education, and to the late Mr Coop they would invariably go with their troubles, to have letters interpreted, and in every case to have replies written. Many an old man and woman left his office with a weight off their minds, and a blessing for their benefactor, for he would never accept any monetary offering for the service he had rendered.

The late Mr Coop was married twice. His first wife predeceased him by 35 years, leaving two sods and four daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are still living, the former being Mr H. Coop, of the Railway Department, Dunedin. In 1893 he married Mrs Michelle, of Coal Creek, and of this marriage a eon and daughter are left. To Mrs Coop and both families is extended the sympathy of a wide circle of friends. The late Mr Coop was one of the original members of Court Roxburgh, A.0.P., and was for many years its secretary, and its members paraded in regalia at the funeral. He was also an old member of the Anglican Church, and was able to take part in its jubilee celebrations last year.