ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF THE REV. THOMAS BOOKER.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 134, 14 March 1872, Page 3

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF THE REV. THOMAS BOOKER.

Intelligence of a most painful character was received iu town yesterday from Maungatnroto district, Kaipara. By one of those accidents only too common in the bush, the Rev. T. Booker, Congregational minister, lost his life, on the 7th instant. The rev. gentleman was, it appears, engaged with his son in felling bush upon liis farm at the settlement, when a tree, which thej' bad cut nearly through, suddenly fell upon Mr Booker, killing him instantly. Mr Booker came to the colony eight years ago, in the ship Tyburnia, as pastor of three hundred Nonconformist immigrants, who arrived in Auckland by that ship, with the intention of settling upon the block of land specially set apart for them in the Kaipara district, under the forty-acre scheme. Upon arrival, many of the immigrants were deterred from carrying out iheir original intention by the almost inaccessible position of the Maimgaturoto block, and the entire absence of roads. The party therefore scattered, some of them going upon the land, but the majority remaining in town or removing to other districts. The flock of the late Mr Booker being thus dissolved, that gentleman remained in Auckland, and some time after his arrival a church was built for him in Newton bv tlio Congregationalists : that building, it will he remembered was blown down twelve months ago. Mr Booker removed from Newton to Maimgaturoto about two years ago at the earnest request of the settlers, and laboured there in connection with the Congregational mission. He was a gentleman of unassuming maimers, but arduous and earnest in the pursuit of his duties. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and his loss will be felt as that of a friend by every settler at Maimgaturoto aud surrounding districts. An inquest was to be held on the body, but no doubt a verdict of “Accidentally killed” would be rein rued.— Cron