DEATH OF MR T.C, WILLIAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3531, 23 May 1912, Page 5

DEATH OF MR T.C, WILLIAMS.

A NOTABLE PIONEER. OLDEST WHITE IN NEAY ZEALAND. Mr Thomas Coldham Williams, one of the oldest and best-known residents of New Zealand, died at his residence AYickford, Princes-street, on Sunday. The late Mr Williams, who was S 6 years of age, was held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. Although lie was a man of a retiring disposition, who played, no .part in politics or any branch of public life, he was one of the pioneers who had to contend against troublesome natives and tlie many difficulties inseparable from the career of the man who takes up farming in a rough, undeveloped country.' AGo ut a- month ago Mr Williams had the misfortune to meet with an accident, as a result of which he was confined to his bed. Failing health and his advanced, age prevented the deceased from resisting the shock which he received, and he gradually sank and passed away on Sunday morning. "Deceased: was a son of the late Rev. Henry AVilliams, Archdeacon of Waimate,’ Bay of Islands. He was born at Paihia in 1825, and held the uncommon distinction of being the eldest person of European parents in the Dominion. Mr AVilliams was educated at AVaimate, and as a young man he took up sheep farming in the Bay of Islands district. Later he went to the Otahuhu district, and for some time occupied the present residence of Mr AV. F. Massey. It was while at Otahuhu, in 1858, that Mr AVilliams married Miss Beetliam, a daughter of the late Mr AVilliam Beetliam, of AVellington. The Wairarapa district then attracted Mr AVilliams. and he resided there until about 20 years ago, when he purchased a house,-in Hobson-street, Wellington!. Rdtimng from active farming pursuits, ’Mr Williams lived in AVellington for some time, and latterly he resided in Auckland.

He was largely interested in station properties, among which' were the splendid Branccpeth Estate of about 49,000 acres, and the Annedale station, of T 5,000 acres, 'both situated on the east coast of the AVellington provincial district; also the Lansdowno station, near Masterton, of 2000 acres. Mr AVilliams also owned town sections in Pahiatua, Eketahuna, and Masterton. Prior to his death he disposed of his farming properties. Mr AATlliams held the unusual record of having spent the whole of his lifetime in New Zealand. Only on two occasions has he visited the South Island.

He is survived by Mrs AVilliams and a -grown-up family of five sons and seven daughters. AVith tlie exception of three daughters, who are in England, all the members of Mr Williams’s family reside in New Zealand.