OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15160, 2 October 1913, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MB THOMAS JEFCOATE. . Another of the fast diminishing band I of the early settlers .of the district passed away- in Christclitu-cE Hospital yesterday. Thds was .Mr Thomas Jefcoata, who for many years lived at Prospect Farm, on the banks of the TTpper P&reara, beside what is row called .TefcoateV crossing. Mr Jefcoate came out by the big ship "Eastern Em. piTe" in January, 1866, and r ov* a time lived in CJhristbhurchj founding what is now the Bpreydon Baptist Church. In 1868 he came down with his family in a dray, to take up land at Pareora, and on the way ran serious risks, especially when crossing the flooded|B.angttata. On reaching Timaru he camped amongst the tussocks just opposite the corner where now stands Messrs Kernohan. McCahon and Co.'a shop. Brides farming, his land Mr Jefcoate acted as a contractor, making many. miles of the main road to Fairlie, and a good length of the Mount Somers railway. He also made soma, of the big cuttings that still exist- in the railway line round Caroline Bay v v Later on Mr Jefcoate sold Prospecrb Farm, and went on a trip to Britain, along with his wife, who died in Wellington some thirteen years ago. On returning he bought a large farm- in Southland, but had to give this up, and from that time he lived chiefly amongsls his sons and daughters-. Three of hia: rr-arried daughters live ik Timaru, and tie funeral will leave. Mr J. A. Valentine's, residence in Elizabeth Street at 2.30 p.m. on Friday.