Death of Hon. Thos. Russel

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1085, 5 September 1904, Page 3

Death of Hon. Thos. Russel

Pr«H Aunoint.ion.-iJopjrißhk.

London, August 3 Tdk death is announced of tho Hon I'howns Hassoll, formerly Minister for Defence in tho New Zealand Government,' THE LATE MR RUSSELL, The lute Hon. Thomas Russoll was chairman of directors of tho Waihi Gold Mining

• Company, and nt iho last meeting of shareholders, iicld in London, was unable, through illness, to read tho report, which 1 was dono by a fcllowdirootor, Tho deceased was formerly a member of tho ' woll-known firm of Whitlaker and Russell, barristers and solicitors, of Auckland. Ho was Imlf-brolber of tho lulo .1. B. Hussoll a member of tho legal firm of Russell ami Campbell, and half brothor also of Mr James Russell, N proscnt member of th firm, 110 was largely identified with tho mining industry, his connection dating back to the days of tho Thames and Coroiuande l rushes. An exciting incident in rcferonco to his careor as a mining man occurred twenty-five years ago. Accusations wero uiado egaiml him by a man named Cyrus Haley, a man of violent disposition, who allagod that iio was a victim of dealings that Mr Rnssoll was r esponsible for, Haley burned tho Auckland Choral Hall under the belief that as Mr Russell was a member of the Choral Society he would in this way bo done an injury, Ho aho burned valuable property near Epsom belonging to Mr Russell, and firedsoveral shots at him at his resideneo in that locality. Iluloy was arrested by the lato Inspector Brohom, who wasthon in chargo of the Auckland Police The arrest was a highly sensational one, tho Inspector closing with Haley while tho Imtor was armed, and at the imminent risk of his life, Haloy was found guilty of the chargop brought against him, and wus sentenced to imprisonment for life, He w as aftowards shot by a wardor when trying to mako his oscapo from tho gaol, and diod Irom the oli'eeti of tho wound. For a number of yours past Mr. ftussoll had rcsidod in England. Ilia death will bo deeply rcgretied by a largo circle of friends in New Zealand,