Obituary.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 4202, 16 May 1901, Page 3

Obituary.

(Own Correspondent.) The funeral of the late Mr William Thomson took place at Takapau, on Sunday last. His mortals remains were followed by a large number of relations and friends. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Mr McDonald. The deceased was perhaps one of the best known and most respected settlers in the Waipawa County. As a matter of interest to your subscribers and others, perhaps a general outline of his career may be worth recording. He was born in Edinburgh in 1830, and was the son of John Thomson, barrister, and nephew of the late Doctor Andrew Thomson, both of Edinburgh. In the year 1853 he came to Australia and took up his residence in Bendigo. He remained in Australia through the many excitements of up and downs in gold mining up till the year 1865, when he came to New Zealand. While in Australia he became a member of the Order of Freemasons and also that of the M. U., 1.0.0. F. His interest continued in the latter throughout his career in New Zealand. He was the first G.M. of the Loyal Abbotsford Lodge, Waipawa, and no dohbt many of the lodge regret tlieir inability to have paid their last token of respect to his memory. The deceased was engaged in making the first road through the forty mile bush. He took up land in South Makaretu, about 1878. He was a great enthusiast in mining industries, which possibly took hold of him in the fifties. He, to his last day, thoroughly believed the Ruahines were worth trying, and for the past fourteen years, at his own cost and labour has been trying his luck, and for the past few years at one spot of which he had great hopes. It was his latter hobby that perhaps ended, or a tendency to that, in his death. Whilst coming home from his claim his foot slipped on a stone. This gave him a lurch on to a boulder which struck his side. After reaching home he complained of this, and with many more I regret that within two weeks the man whom all knew, and who was expected to live another 10 years or more, had left us. So endeth a life that all of us can look up to with respect and trust ours may as be well and faithfully carried through. The deceased leaves mourning his loss a widow, six sons, and three daughters.