A NOTABLE FIGURE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 3

A NOTABLE FIGURE

(I3y W.K. in the. “ N.Z. Sportsman.”) THOMAS 11. COLTMAN,, J.P. Almost every day in the week there may be seen walking leisurely along Wellington’s main thoroughfares a dapper .well-set-up figure, with closelytrimmed beard, a la King George, always well-groomed, with hard-hitter at exact angle and a merry twinkle in his eyes that denotes the good nature which beams over his handsome face. Tom Coltman is good to look at, despite liis "years, which number 70. He is as well preserved, both physically and mentally, as a man of fifty. He was born in Coventry, England, in the year 1850. On completing his scholastic career, he was apprenticed as a watchmaker to the well-known firm off Rotherham. In his apprentice days he evinced a keen interest in all forms* of sport, especially cricket and swimming and,, when only 18 years of age, was selectecl from the swimming club to which lie belonged to swim an exhibition match' against Captain Webb, who had just swam the English Channel for the first time on record.

In the year 1880 “Tom” sailed for New Zealand in the ship “ Hjirunui ” (Captain Barclay) under a two-years engagement to a leading firm of Christchurch jewellers. It took the “ Huru nui ” four months to complete the voyage. He immediately entered into the field of sport and took an active part therein. He added boxing to his list of sport hobbies and gleaned much in that branch from a Mr Wilson, then headmaster off the East Oxford School. When Jem Mace, the world-renowned pugilist, toured the Dominion giving exhibitions, Tom was selected by hi* club to stage a three-round exhibition bout. On the afternoon of the “fight,” Jem Mace sparred a few friendl •* rounds in private with his youthful opponent to be and instructed him to hit hard and often at the evening exhibition, promising npt to hit hard in return. It really looked a good thing for Tom, and he thought so. At night the hall was packed to the doors, well sprinkled with club mates of the budding world’s champion. In the first two rounds Tom got all over Mace, midst the yells of “give it to him ‘ Colty ’ ” Then came, the third and last round. Tom stepped jauntily from his corner and, as the twain shook h olds in true orthodox style, Mace whispered “.Look out I’m going to tap you this time,” and he did, lirting Tom off his tfeet and sending him flying into the wings, where he went to l! bybye ” for fully three In recalling the incident;- ’Toni chucklihgly remarked: “ It’s a good job it was only a ‘tap.’ If it : had been a ‘hit,’ I would have been with the angels now.” Rugby in season, followed by cricket and swimming, built up that athletic form so nobly borne-at the end of three score years and ten. At the end of his two years’ , engagement with the Christchurch firm, Tom started in business, on his own account in Winton and played for Southland, when big Bob Galbraith and other football giants of their day were almost invincible on the football field. From Winton to the West Coast was his next move, finally dropping his anchor in 1890 at Cuba street, ’Wellington, where he successfully carried on a lucrative jewellery business up to his retirement a few months ago. ...

Among his other attainments is his musical gift. Possessed of a very fine baritone voice he has often taken part in musical functions in Wellington and elsewhere.

' Tt is pleasant to write of such a good all-round sport as Tom Coltman, and it is good for the youthful readers of “N.Z. Sportsman” to read of it, for it goes to prove that, if one lives a clean life, as successful athletes must, one builds up a constitution that will carry well past the allotted span.

It is good to look at the fresh-look-ing subject of this sketch at the ringside, watch in hand, ticking off the rounds: it is good to see him on the Basin Reserve still with watch in hand, ticking off the strides of our runners; and it is better still to see him on the green, in brilliant coloured blazer, with pipe well a-glow sending down a tickler for “Kitty.” Tom is an active and popular member of the Wellington Bowling Club. On some occasions he takes bis place as a Justice ’of the Peace when the “drunks” come up. Being such a thorough watchmaker one would expect him to give them “time,’” hut. instead, he gives them good advice and lets them off at the minimum charge.

TMr Coltman was a well-known resident of Hokitika in the late ’eighties, being in business as jeweller and watch, maker in Revell Street, before removing to Wellington.]