OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16415, 8 January 1919, Page 5

OBITUARY.

The death occurred at Nelson last week, after a painful illness, of Mr Frederick Augustus Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Landß for Nelson. The deceased was 59 years of age, and wan a native of tliat district. lie was a son of the lato Mr T. J. Thompson, one of the early settlers, and was born at Richmond In 1859. He gained an Education Board scholarship at the Richmond, school, and was a student at Nelson College from 1873 xo /876, winning a University Junior Scholarship in 1875. In the athletic side of College life he also took a loading part, and in 1876 was a member of the cricket and football teams, and represented Nelson in football against Dunedin. Ho had a record ofll4l years as a public servant. Mr Thompson was an elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and he held the superintendency of the Sunday school until the state of his health compelled his retirement from the position. He was a member of Victory Lodge of Freemasons and Victoiy Chapter, and of the Nelson Bowling Club, and in many ways showed himself a public-spirited and patriotic citizen. A widow, four sons, ana two daughters are left to mourn their foss. Tho members of the family aro Mr Hugh M. Thompson, surveyor, of Hastings, Captain Frederick N. Thompson, who has just returned to New Zeajand frbm active service with the Expeditionary Force, Messrs Arthur B. and Ernest F. Thompson, Mrs P. S. Boyes, and Miss W. M. Thompson.

One of the oldest telegraph linesmen in the Dominion, Mr Richard Jackson, died at Masterton on Sunday, at the age of 65 years. Deceased, who was born in the Pelorous Sounds, was a son of Captain Jackson. He worked on the installation of the telegrapn line over tho Otira Gorge, and subsequently installed the telephone system in Masterton. Mr Henry Evans, whose death was recorded recently, was wideiy known in Wellington. He was a young civil engineer of great promise when he enlisted in Januarj'j 1915, with the Auckland Infantry of the sth Reinforcements, and saw service on GaUipoil, where he was severely wounded. After spending some months in hospital in England he returned to New Zealand in June, 1916. About twelve months ago he .was appointed engineer's assistant under the Public Works Department, and was engaged on railway location work for the East Coast Main Trunk railway between Waihi and Tauranga. He contracted influenza during the recent epidemic, and after a short illness passed away at Kati Kati. Mr Thomas Miller, an old resident of Wellington, died on Saturday ■ at the ago of 84. Mr Miller came to New Zealand in 1875 to undertake carving work at Government Buildings, then in course of erection. Afterwards he commenced business as a monumental mason, and executed some fine specimens of sculptural work. The late Mr Miller has left a family of three sons—Mr Robert Miller, of Belfast, Canterbury; Mr John P. Milier, of Auckland; and Mr Thomas Miller, of Wellington; and four daughters. After a long illness the death occurred at the Wellington Hospital on Saturday of Mr George Weeds. The late Mr Weeds was closely associated in his early years with tlie manufacture and erection of newspaper printing presses, at the works of Messrs R. Hoe and Co., Ltd., London, and Messrs Foster and Sons. He came out to New Zealand to erect and run a press manufactured by tho lastnamed firm., and after residing for some time in Invercargill, entered the service of the Wellington Publishing Company, Limited, as engineer foreman of the machine-room, remaining in that position until laid aside by illness. The deceased lost two 6ons at the front, and is survived by a wife and large family. The death of Mr James Russell, buiiaer and contractor, wiio had uvea in Wellington for over fifty years, occurred at his residence. Lower Tory street, on Sunday. The deceased was born at Buucheil, Lanarkshire, Scotland, 78 years ago. After completing his apprenticeship in the building trade he went to Edinburgh, and two years later came out to Dunedin in the ship Nelson in .1862. and shortly aftenvards joined a party under Mr Francis Howden engaged in surveying a track from Lake Wakatipu to Martin's Bay for the Otago Provincial Government. In 1866 Mr Russeli settled in Wellington, and had bee si there ever since. Mr Russell was married in 1868 and has left a widow, one son (Mr Walter Russell, of Hataitai), and four daughters. For tne past 51 years he had. been a member of the Britannia Lodge of Oddfellows, and occupied all the high offices. In 1880 he became -a member of the Pacific Lodge of Freemasons, and for some years was one of its prominent officers. For two years he was president of the Wellington Caledonian Society (since defunct). He was an original member of the Wellington Bowling Club, at one time occupied the presidential chair, retaining his interest in the affairs of that body until the last.