THE LATE MR R. S. THOMPSON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 August 1907, Page 3

THE LATE MR R. S. THOMPSON.

THE FUNERAL. (Our Own Correspondent.)

The funeral of the late R. S. Tlionij son, of Normanbv, took place oil Sin day at Normanbv in the native buria grounds, opposite the raihvay station There was a very large attendance and numerous wreaths. The servie was conducted by the Rev. Hollowa\ and after the ceremony a very interest ing episode followed. At the foot o the grave stood Mrs Thompson, witl Potango Waiata on her left and Dr Pomare on her right, the litter holdin; the taiaha and the mere of the late M Thompson. Waiata then addressed th spirit of the decease in Maori, accord tag to the usual Maori custom. Waei lie had concluded Dr Pomare in like fashion expressed himself in Englisli The natural dignity of lxdii speaker? ■oupled with the solemn tones in wliiel they spoke, was very striking ami gav the mind of the liearor an ins Mit o ■he picturesque and poetic skle of thi Maori character. Tn the case of Di Pomare's address, the exclamation "Do >art thou mentor, guide and friend 1 lad a deep meaning to those who kii»v rhat a support the frequent letters if encouragement written by the lati dr R. R. Thompson to Dr. Pomare ha< ieen throughout his college course ii "ngland, and during a time whicl nust have been sincrularlv tryin<» tn ■ ■oung New Zealand native elii'-f anion; tranter- and so far frr.ni his niliv and. There ran be 110 doubt tlini lit lwraseil was not only n man of k narkablc abilities. but »jis sterling in rgrity commanded the respect of bntl aces. Had he been of an ambition l Imposition he eon Id have held tin iighest literary position in New Zed ind: yet he seemed quite happv in hiF iny home in the little town of N'orjaiihv. He was the son of a Church of ngland viear, and hailed from Cumberlid. ami was one of the very early olonists who pissed through the inosj( Hiring times on this coast. He leaves

a widow nnd one daughter. The pallliearers were Messrs .T. ITeslop. J. \V. Jackson, K. T,e Barton. T. T.lovd. T. Roltson, and "W. Rowe.