THE PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1837, 8 June 1918, Page 3

THE PASSING OF A PIONEER.

The recent death of Dir Enoch Tonics removes another of the ■’Wellington settlers who landed here in the early ’forties. Mr Tonics was but three years old when lie landed in Wellington with his parents in the ship Birman, in the year IS-12. There were no wharves then; vessels anchored oh Pipitea Point, the passengers being ferried across in the ships’ boats, and carried ashore by the sailors. The tides lapped the beach along Lambton' Quay, where the trams now run. The population consisted mostly of Maoris, who were the purveyors of food, consisting of fruit, sweet potatoes, and pork.

Mr Tonks used to tell many interesting , stories of those early days. As time went on, two settlements were formed, one on the Te Aro Flat, the other on the Thorndon Flat, and as the boys of each district grew up, miniature civil wars were waged. Each section had its leaders, and many were the doughty deeds of the champions of both sides. As they grew older they united forces, for trouble bad arisen with the Maoris over land settlement, and sticks and stones were exchanged for flintlocks, and the militia was formed. The population was soon increased by shiploads of emigrants, and businesses were established, some of which are still in existence. Among these are Messrs E. AY. Mills and Co., Messrs 3'. J. Curtis and Co., and others. Mr Enoch Tonks’ father commenced brick-making in the early days, and the business is still being carried on. There were restless, adventurous spirits among these early settlers, and when a prospector discovered gold in the ’ Collingwood district, a rush was made and claims pegged. A cherished heirloom of the family is a ring made from the gold panned out i)V Mr Tonks in the ’sixties. It was soon after his return from Collingwood that he became engaged to Miss Spencer, daughter of Mr Edmund Spencer, of tho 65th Regiment. A year or two later they were married, and subsequently moved to Otago, to North-East Afalley, where they underwent many hardships. The next move was to Central Otago, at the time of the Dunstan rush. Later the family removed to Tuapeka. Here Mr Tonks had a part-interest in a coal mine; he also conducted a carrying business, supplying provisions to the minors. After about eight years in Lawrence, the family removed to Dunedin, and resided at Mornington. and in 1875 returned to Wellington, where they have resided ever since.

Both Mr and Mrs Tonks took a prominent pari in philanthropic movements. Tho latter predeceased her husband about six years ago. There are five sons and five daughters still living: 37 grandchildren, and 20 great-grand-children. Five of the grandsons arc now serving their country at the front.