The Late Thomas Price.

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 130, 9 May 1889, Page 3

The Late Thomas Price.

By the death of the late Thomas Price on Monday last at his residence, Eyre ; Btreeti Feilding has lost another of the pioneers of thtt settlement. The following is a brief obituary notice of the deceased:— Mr Price was born in Dublin, where his father was Guilder in good circumstances. He Las a brother, John Price, who is now in business in Manchester, England, -also a sister well married and settled in theaame town. The children left to mourn his loss are five, viz , three boys and two girls. In 1847 he he enlisted in the 87th regiment and served with the colors for.about twenty- , two years, during the greater part of which he was a non-commis» eioned officer, and left with the rank of color-sergeant. He saw active service in China, and served through the whole of the Indian Mutiny for which lie was honored with the medal and clasp. When he left his regiment he obtained a civil employment at Home, but in 1872 he came out to this colony as an immigrant, and on his arrival decided to reside' on this block then being Bettled under the auspices of the Emigrant and Colonists Aid Corporation. He tried his hand at the usual employment — road making—but finding it unsuitable he joined the N.Z. Constabulary and was, during .his thirteen years of service, stationed at Feilding and Bulls. When he applied for his discharge he obtained irom the Government a gratuity of .£154 -for long service. Both in the army and police services he won the esteem and respect of his official superiors. Hisvcharacter was unimpeachable and he -had numerous testimonials from Imperial officers of high Tank. When he left the 87th the officers, non-commissioned officers and men presented him with a very handsome silver tea and coffee set complete, with an engraved inscription setting forth the. high esteem in which he was held by his brothers-iu-arms. After bis retirement, from active duties his health gave way, and for some mouths he was quite aware that his end was fast approaching and he "" met the dread messenger of Death" -with a smile and he died as he had lived, a gallant soldier. There are few in Feilding, who will not "have a kind word for his memory, and we are glad to know that his ■young frmily are left moderately well provided for, in the care of highly respected executors. The deceased was a member of the Masonic order.

The funeral took place yesterday *nd was attended by several army pensioners, and many of the old settlers desirous of paying a last tribute to the memory of their late fellow townsman. In the absence of the Hey- A. Hermon, the Rev. H. M. Murray officiated at the cemetery. The undertaking was most satisfaciorily conducted by Mr A. Eade.