OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5120, 2 May 1927, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MB. THOMAS HOLTON. The death of Mr Thomas Holton, of Russell Street, Paeroa, which'occurred at the Thames Hospital on Wednesday last, removes another wellknown Ohinemuri and Thames identity. Mr Rolton was born at Auckland in 1857, and spent the greater part of his earlier life at Thames, where he took a prominent interest in rowing and cricketing circles. He was the son of the late Captain Rplton, who had the distinction of. bringing the first cutter, the Emma, up the Ohinemuri River to Paeroa. The late Mr' Rolton first came to Paeroa a little over fifty years ago, and was engaged in many stirring escapades against the Maoris, who were very troublesome at that time. He was first of all associated with the late Mr James Mackay in transporting stores for the soldiers and settlers. Later deceased joined the late. Messrs John Quinlivan and Charles Franklyn in a farming venture up the Waitawheta, and was also actively engaged in packing machinery and stores into W,aite.kauri when the gold-mining boom first started in that locality. Deceased spent some years working in the district at sawmilling, returning to Paeroa 26 years ago. At the commencement of the. illness which cailsed his admission to the Thames Hospital 18 weeks ago deceased was employed by the Public Works Department. Deceased married the second daughter of the late Mr James Hardman, one of the Thames pioneers. Although of a retiring disposition Mr Rolton made many friends, and his demise after a long and painful illness, borne with fortitude, brought to a close a lengthy and u M eful life lived in some of the hardest times of this district. Deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs M. J. Rolton, of Paeroa, two sons, seven daughters, tnirtyeight grandchildren® and live great grandchildren. Deceased was interred at the Pukerim u Cemetery, Pae.roa, on Friday afternoon last, and large number who attended and the many floral emblems bore silent testimony to the esteem in which ihe was held.