OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 311, 11 January 1902, Page 2

OBITUARY.

DEATH QF A PIONEER.

Yesterday afternoon one of the colony’s most respected pioneers peacefully passed away in the person of Mr Thomas Quinn, who had reached the ripe ago of 82, after a life full of experience and travel. Mr Quinn was a very hale and hearty man, and was never known to have had a day’s sickness until the break-up of his health, which took place about three weeks ago, when tho vigor of a splendid constitution was overcome by old age. He had then to take to his bed, and his first sickness proved the final one. He was assiduously attended by Mrs Quinn, and his relatives, Dr. Cole being the medical adviser. The cause of death was not specially attributed to any particular ailment, but to the general break-up that mightjnaturally be expected with a man of his ripe age. Mr Quinn (who leaves a widow, three sons, and five daughters, to mourn their loss) was born in Galway, Ireland, and bad a very eventful career. Attracted by tho (gold fever, he joined in the rush to California in tho good old days of 1852, just fifty years ago. There he went in for the fascinating life of a miner on the alluvial fields. He kept at that for five years, being very successful, and then he left for New Zealand, landing in Auckland

in 1862. During the troublesome times he served with the Auckland Militia during (he Waikato campaign. He was among the pioneers when the Thames goldfields rush broke out. He obtained the second miners’ right that was issued. He had the lirst sluicing claim in the Karaka Creek, Thames, and he discovered the first reef in Tapu Creek, known as Quinn and Cashell’s claim. From that, he went to Okinemuri, where he was one of the original prospectors. . lie had the first Waitekauri mine, and was closely identified with the progress of the' Northern goldfields. From the rough rmd toilsome mining life, ho took to the quieter occupation of fanning, having land in the Ohinemuri district. From there, about two years ago, Mr and Mrs Quinn came to Gisborne, where the majority of their family were residing. Mr and Mrs Quinn had their home on the Ormond road, Whataupoko, and, although the deceased

led a retired life in this district, he was known and deeply respected by a great many friends, V“ ln . fid highly for his sterling qualities. The members of the family are well known. Mr Edward Quinn, the proprietor of the Bridge Hotel, is well known throughout the Auckland district, having for twenty-two years been one of the most popular mine-managers on the Thames, and latterly being manager of the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates Company. Mr John R. Quinn, another son, lately .from Western Australia, is the popular licensee of the Koyal Hotel, Gisborne. The third son, Mr Thomas Quinn, is now underground manager of the Ivanhoe mine in Boulder City, Western Australia. The daughers are Mrs James Martin, of Gisborne, Mrs C. Clarke, formerly of Gisborne and now of New Plymouth, Mrs Hayes, of the Thames, and Mrs Fitzpatrick and Mrs Bain, both of Ohinemuri. Although deceased had arrived at an age beyond the allotted span, his death is naturally keenly felt-by the widow and family, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt. The funeral will leave deceased’s late residence, Whataupoko, to-morrow afternoon at 3 o’clock for the Makaraka cemetery.