OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4640, 19 December 1923, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. THOMAS JOHNSON. There passed away at the Mater Misericprdeiae Hospital, Auckland, on Thursday last one of the oldest pioneer settlers of the- Netherton district in the person of Mr Thomas Johnson. The deceased gentleman had been associated with the valley for over half a century. Born at Gisborne, he came to Thames in the goldfields rush, and after spending some time there mining ’he went to Australia. On his returfl he went into the sawmilling business, and with others owned mills at Turua, Paeroa, Kirikiri, Shortland, and other places. As a pitsawyer, bushman. and axeman he was well known, and he had few equals, being a powerfully built main. Tn his early days he took pa-t in rowing, and was stroke in the whaleboat race at Auckland when the Thames crew rowed to victory. He settled in Netherton some 31 years ago, and was one of the moving spirits in establishing the Thames Valley Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd. He took a keen interest in sport of all kinds, and also in the Agricultural Society in its early days, being official handicapper of the woodchopping and sawing contests. He also rendered very valuable service to the society in assisting and sometimes making himself responsible for the. supply of logs for tihe competitions. He possessed the old pioneer grit., and never shirked his duty to his neighbour or failed to help with any local movement flor the advancement of the district in which he resided. He was always looked up to as a lover of fair play, being ever upright in his dealings,, which brought him a host of friends wherever he went. The late Mr Johnson leaves a wife, six daughters, and four .sons- to mourn the loss of a fond husband and parent.