Death of Mr T. Scott. Sen.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 19 January 1892, Page 2

Death of Mr T. Scott. Sen.

It is with feelings of deep regret that we chronicle the death, at the ripe old age of almost four score years, of Mr Thomas Bcott, the father of Rangitikei settlement. It is now 46 years since Mr Scott, with his wife and four children, two sons and two daughters, came to the district. Prior to that time the deceased gentleman had been engaged in the early war in New Zealand, serving both in the militia and the armed police. While in the latter service he took part in the capture of Te Ringa Kuri, a rebel chief. Mr Scott was born in Fife, and in early manhood came to New Zealand. For several years he carried the mails on foot along the coast between Taranaki and Wellington. It is few who could have performed the arduous work. The loads, too, he carried being sometimes of great weight. While engaged in this capacity Mr Scott used to drive a lucrative business with the Natives by trading merchandise, which he used to carry on his shoulders in addition to the mails, with them. When he arrived at Rangitikei, 46 years ago, Mr Scott was the only white man for miles around, it being about two years later that the late Mr James McDonnell arrived on the scene. Mr Scott, besides acting in the dual capacity of ferryman and pilot, had an hotel and store at the ferry. After a short time he relinquished the pilotship and devoted the whole of his time to his other vocations. The entire business of the district went through his hands. He was the forwarding agent both for goods • , coming in and going out, and he was the only store and hotel-keeper. Some time ago he relinquished the hotel business, but continued 1 the ferry and store. Mr Scott will never be forgotten, and his name is indelibly written in the annals of Rangitikei, and even Wellington province, history. To all travellers, when the main road was along the sea coast, via the ferry, Mr Scott's name was familiar, and there are many alive at the present day who will have very vivid recollections of him. In the general politics of the country Mr Scott always took a deep interest, but in local affairs he took no part. He was generally esteemed by all who knew him. His habits were vq T ¥ / r sociable, and many a good tale wouicT he tell of his early experiences wheiL. xNew Zealand was not what it is now. About 10 orl2 years ago his wife died, and he afterwards married the widow of the late Mr James Bromley, of Porirua, and she survives him. For the last few years Mr Scott has been in failing health, and his death which occurred at half past two on Saturday afternoon, was by no means unexpected. That death will bring up recollections of bygone days to the minds of many of our readers. Mr Scott had seven of a family, three sons and four daughters. Of these Christinia, who married Mr James Bull, and Jane, who married Mr Bennett ,of Wellington, are dead. Mr John Scott, the eldest son, is now a resident of Bulls, but has been for some time an invalid ; Thomas is working for Mr E. T. Riddiford, of Longburn, and David Scott, who is known to all, is a farmer in Lower Rangitikei. Of his daughters, Mrs Higgie. and Elizabeth, who is unmarried, are the only ones alive. The funeral will take place this afternoon, and will leave the ferry at one o'clock for the Parewanui cemetery. —Advocate.