Obituary.

Manawatu Herald, 23 February 1904, Page 3

Obituary.

ERNEST STEPHEN THYNNE,

Yesterday the signal of the flags flying at half-mast on the principal public buildings in the township announced to the public the death, after a long illness, of Mr E, S. Thynne, His death, though long anticipated, was bound to come with something of a shock to those in the district to whom he had been for many years a focus of public interest. Although death comes alike to all, and to men whose names have become a household word as champions of public welfare as well as to the obscure, still when it does come we cannot altogether avoid the serious reflections it always brings with it; and it is fitting at such a time to review the public career of the man who has passed away, and give due credit for the services he has rendered to his district in the sphere allotted to him—to form a just estimate of his disinterested desire for the good of the community, and the extent to which his time, and energy has been employed in its service.

So numerous and varied were the offices of public interest and importance in which Mr Thynne took part that it would be almost impossible in the limits of a short article to give a complete review of his public career, and we will have to be content with a brief enumeration of his various public services. Mr Thynne arrived in the colony in July* t&5), and settled in Foxton three days afterwards. A few years latfer he purchased the homestead now known as " Kawaroa," where he resided until his death. Mr Thynne was married on January, nth. 1870, to the eldest daughter of the late Captain Robinson (one of Foxton’s oldest settlers.) From 1870 to 1873 MrThynne represented the district in the Wellington Provincial Council. He later stood for the House of Representatives, but was unsuccessful, and since 1869 he has filled the position as a Justice of the Peace. He was the first chairman of the Manawatu County Council, and held a similar position in the Local Board, and was President and Vice-President of the Foxton Racing Club, it being chiefly through his efforts that the present racecourse site was obtained. He was also the first Mayor of Foxton. Mr Thynne took a deep interest in educational matters, and was chairman of the Foxton School Committee for 18 years. The deceased gentleman held the position ot Mayor of Foxton for two years in succession, Mr Thynne was proprietor of the Manawatu Herald for 15 years preceding his death. The deceased was a native of London, having been born in St. George-street in 1845, He was educated at the King’s College School, London, and served his articles as civil engineer with Mr J. Bailey Denton, of Parliamentary-street, Westminster, S.W. He completed his term and then followed his profession for a short time, eventually coming to the colony at the time mentioned. For some years the late Mr Thynne was in partnership with Mr J. Linton a former resident of Palmerston N. as auctioneers, and the firm did a large business also with their wholesale and bondage stores. From this brief sketch of his career it will be seen that this district has lost one of its oldest, most respected, and most public-spirited citizens. During his residence of over 35 years in the Manawatu. there was no movement for the advancement of the town which he did not support, and scarcely any public office he had not at one time or other held. The late Mr Thynne was no opportunist; he never sought favour by attempting to gratify any public whim of the moment; he acted throughout his long public career from sincere conviction, and if he could not secure the approval of the majority he was satisfied to have done his best to show them what he conceived to be the better course. A man of such characteristics was bound to win respect. Not only was the late Mr Thynne a force in a political sense during his residence here, but he also took an interest in the social life of the place and in various societies his presence was honoured and invigorating. He was a man of exceptional mental and physical vigour, possessed of a stern sense of duty and unswerving rectitude, and his great public services which to him were truly “ a labour of love ” will not soon be forgotten by those for whose welfare he strove.

Mr Thynne leaves a wife, four sons, and one daughter to mourn their loss. The eldest son (Harry), is now managing the deceased's property “ KawaroaFrancis is in the Herald office; Arthur is in the Bank of Australasia at Palmerston N., and Guy, the young* est, is also at Palmerston with Messrs Abraham & Williams, Ltd. We join with the general public in expressing our sympathy with those who have been left bereaved by the loss of one who has for so many years been closely connected with the public interests of the community, and would recommend the younger members of the town to emulate the example which Mr Thynne has left them and endeavour to leave behind them careers even more energetically and unselfishly spent in the service of their town and district.

The funeral which was held yesterday afternoon was largely attended by settlers from Shannon, Palmerston, Levin and other places, who were all desirous of showing their last tribute of respect to one who was universally respected. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. H. F. Wilson at the grave.

and Mrs Strickland was then taken to the doctor. The escape was the narrowest possible to conceive, but no blame is attachable to the railway employees, who pulled up their train in the middle of the Square and returned to the scene of the occurrence.