THE LATE MR FINCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3131, 9 August 1892, Page 2

THE LATE MR FINCH.

THE decease of Mv Thomas Finch on Tuesday last, utie of the few remaining of Alex.andrn's pioneew, although for some time expected, has caused a feeling of gloom throughout our small community, and deep sympathy with his widow and family. No man was more respected here and throughout the district than our late departed fellow townsman. Mr Pinch was an old colonist, having arrived with a detachment of the 58th Regiment in the year 1844, in Sydney, New South Wales, from whence he was sent to form part of a guard to the penal settlement at Norfolk Island, but on the breaking out of Heki's war in the Bay of lalsnds, In 1845, came to New Zealand and took part in that war, being present at the engagements of Ohaeawai, Okaihau and Ruapekapeka. After peace was declared Mr Finch came on with his regiment to Auckland, staying there until 1853, when at his own request, he was discharged from tho Imperial Service to settle in the colony, thus becoming entitled to a grant of 40 acres of Crown Lands (this grant, however, he never received, although tor many years past he urged his claim on the Government). Having married, he settled down at Howick and took to farming, contracting, etc., doing a good deal of work for tha Messrs McLean and other well known old colonists. There he remained until the hreakinp out of the Waikat'i war when he joined the Militia, as a member of Capfc. Peacooke's Company, but shortly afterwards volunteered fur active service and joined the Land Transport Corps, an<l was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While in this service, he was present »t the fall of Rungiriri, and the advance to Ngaruawahia, he then joined the head quarters of the 2nd Waikato Regiment under Colonel Haultain, and served through the Waikato, until the final battle of Orakau at which he was also present. On the conclusion of the war, he settled in Alexandra where the 2nd Waikato's where then stationed, and started hotel keeping. With the exception of a short interval when the deceased took to farming on his land at Ngaroto. (now in the occupation of hi* son, Mr George Finch), he' has continued in tho hotsl keeping business up to the day of his death, the deceased and his now respected widow, enjoying the confidence and eateem of all who visited them. It says much for the respectable manner in which the business has been conducted, that no endorsement of license, or infringement of the Licensing Act, has ever been charged against them dnrinp so many years. Mr Finch has also done more than his fair share of duty in tha of local affairs as chairman, and member of the Road Board and Town Council, School Committee, churchwarden, etc., always giving satisfaction to the public. Mr Finch leaves a widow and family of seven daughters three sons and nineteen grandchildren. The funeral tor.k place on Thursday last, the Rev. R. O'C. Biggs., of Hamilton, conducting the service. The Maeonio fraternity were also present in good numbers, the funeral ceremony bci »g performed under their management, the deceased having been a Past Master and one of the founders of the Alexandra Lodge. There was a large attendance ot settlers present from all parts of this and snvrounding districts anxious to show thair respect to the deceased and his bereaved family— well known faces fr.im Whatnwhßta, Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awmnutu, Kihikihi, Otorohanga, and many native friends were present testifying their grief at the loss of an h)nest, upright friend aud fellow aettler. Many were the floral tributes sent tn decorate the coffin and to be placed on the grave where our late respected fellow settler now takes his rest.