TOM PEARCE’S NAME BROUGHT IN QUESTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5390, 6 July 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

TOM PEARCE’S NAME BROUGHT IN QUESTION.

Now that the papers throughout the colony are teeming with accounts of the total wreck of the Loch Ard and the heroic conduct of Tom Pearce in rescuing Miss Carmichael, it may be interesting (observes the Kihnore Free Press) to supply a link with reference to the history p£ the young gentleman named, which we have noticed wanting. In the first place, then, we are in a position to state that the name of the surviving hero of the Loch Ard is not Tom Pearce, but Tom Millet, the son of, the late Richard Millet, 0.E., who was engaged •in effecting surveys in this district under the Land Act 1863, about fifteen years - ago, and grandson of the late Mr. Thomas Millet, proprietor of au estate called Millbrook, near Cappawhite, County Tipperary, Ireland, where the gallant rescuer of Mias Carmichael was. also born, having been brought to The colony when’ about three or four years of age. Soon after Mr. Richard Millet'* concluded his professional duties here, he proceeded to New Zealand, leaving behind him, in one of. the Melbourne suburbs, a wife and family, including the hero Tom, now called Pearce. Mr. Millet had not been long in New Zealand when be took ill, and died, and his widow soon after married Captain Pearce, of the ill-fated Gothenburg. The stepchildren of the latter, including Tom, evidently adopted the name of Pearce, whilst the real name was that we have stated, a name honored and held in high esteem where it was best known. The strict accuracy of the circumstances related we can vouch for, and we think it well to mention these. facts,‘in order that many friends in the old country who knew and esteemed the Millets will be in a position to' know exactly -who the hero is that this colony, antf, indeed the group of colonics, now delight to honor.