Death of Mr T. U. Cook.

Manawatu Herald, 16 November 1897, Page 2

Death of Mr T. U. Cook.

-» . At an early hour yesterday morning the long life of Mr Thomas Uppadine Cook came to an end. Hid days in the land had been long and his end was peace, being cared for by his eldest daughter, and near the close wsa surrounded by his family and their descendants. Mr T. U. Cook Was one of the band of early settlers to whom every colonist sbttuld feel under a great debt of gratitude as it was by the pluck and endurance of these settlers that this fine colony was won from the frenoh and the Maories for the present occupiers. Mr Cook arrived in Wellington by the ship " Adelaide " in January, 1840, and a year and a half after removed to this district, and with the energy characteristic of the man set to work in trading with the Natives. For years he had a dwelling and store at Paiaka, and employed a large number of hands in making rope from the flax dressed by the natives, and in sawing timber, and in many other ways. The river was then an important trade route, and at times 40 canoes loaded with potatoes, wheat, maize and flax, as we'l as knmeras and pigs, were to be seen watting their turn for Irade at the store. So large were these transactions that Mr Cook found it necessary to build vesse's to convey the freight to Wellington and other ports, the late Frank Abel being his shipwright. After some years Mr Cook removed from Paiaka to Foxton, then known as Awahou, and erected a new store and dwelling and carried on a similar business, he then owning a large bock of land which was known as Cook's Estate. There was much bush on this land and hand-sawyers found a remunerative occupation cutting to his orders. Business being brisk Mr Cook took up land on lease from the natives on the Booth of the Manawatu and also on the north of it, about where the Oroua Downs Estate is situated, and the extent of these runs can be estimated by the fact that on both these combined was carried upwards of 20.000 sheep, besides catt c and horses. Hunia's Lake, a boundary on the Oroua Downs Estate was the point where Mr Cook's sheepwashing station was situated, as in those days it was the fashion to wash the Sheep before shearing. During the early, development of the new district Cook's Wharf was the scene of activity, he not only being the only wharfowner, but was the agent for all vessels trading here. When the Government erected their wharf , and made the wooden tram to Palmerston Mr Cook leased it, and had a very prosperous time, as then thousands of split sleepers were brought down the tram, and iron ra Is for the extension of the line taken up it. Four horse teams were run on the line on terms made wi.h the lessee. Mr Charles Collin3 was clerk to Mr Cook at this perioi. When the iron rails and the iron horse cam? upon the scene the government took the control themselves. During his residence in the district the deceased gentleman had ib.3 best interests of the plaoe at heart. For many years ha held the trustworthy position of postmaster, and was only superseded when the government erected a building for themselves. He, with the lat? Mr Bobinson thoughtfully secured the site of the school from the original owners, the Natives. In 3">oial matters Mr Cook was always to the fore, and his dwelling was the meeting place for all the young people. Whe i younger, Mr Cook was very fond of music and did much in encouraging, by example and teaching, part singing, and the late Messrs (J. Hartley, F. Cook and the deceased were well-known for iheir glees. Mr Cook and the late Mr Robinson were the only two Justices of the Peaoe on this coast, and to them is the credit for there h wing been no disturbance of any sort, even during the frequent Maori wars, in the Manawatu district. Mr Cook was very much esteemed and looked up to by the Maoris. The old records of the Foxton racecourse show that the late gentleman was one of the Trustee?, and in conjunction with the other members, made the preliminary arrangements which. haß secured such a fine property for the town. As one of the members of the Churoh of England Mr Cook gave great assistance in this erection of All Saints Chbrch. He wa? for some time one of the members of the local Board, one of the earliest institutions given to the public to attend to the developement of the town. As a member of the School Committee Mr Cook, had the best interests of the children at heart, and by his efforts some excellent teachers were obtained before the Education Board days. The deceased leaves seven sons and three daughters, and thirty-nine grandchildren to mourn his loss. To bis relatives we beg to tender our heart-felt sympathy. We desire to say that these few notes, but the barest outline of an active man's useful career, have been penned by one who has had the pleasure of knowing the late Mr Cook for olose t>n thirty years. It hat been arranged that the funeral shall take place to-morrow,. leaving Mrs Collins residence at half-past two.