OBITUARY.

Shannon News, 13 September 1921, Page 1

OBITUARY.

■ -♦ MR W. TOMPSITT, OTAKI. Word was received in Levin today that. Mr W. Tompsitt, an old and highly-respected resident of Otaki, had died suddenly In Wellington at noon. The late Mr Tompsitt was born in Melbourne, and at the time of the West Coast rush he crossed over the Tasman Sea and arrived' in Hokitika in 1866. A few years later Mr Tompsitt established himself as a storekeeper at Otaki, and later conducted the Family Hotel. Subsequently he founded the first business in Manakau. In later years he followed farming and grazing, and a breeder of thoroughbred stock. As a public man he took a full share of nublic duty, and for six years was a member of the old Otaki Highway Board, of which he was for some time chairman. He was also connected with the Horowhenua County Council for five years, and represented the Council on the Wellington Hospital Board for a lengthy term. The deceased was a keen sportsman, was one of the early secretaries of the Otaki Racing Club, arid attained some celebrity as a handicapper in the early days on this coast.