OBITUARY.
HORACE UEIRA TOMKIES; Aged 15.
There were few hearts indeed in the community that were not touched by the pathos and unexpected passing away of Horace Ueira Tomkies, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Horace Tomkies, Queenstown, in the early hours of' Thursday last. His illness was of such brief duration — ten days only that many people were scarcely aware of his indisposition before his life had ebbed away. Strong lad of 15 years though he was, with no previous ill health on his record, he was suddenly attacked by double pneumonia and pleurisy in their most severe forms. Supervening on these troubles, blood poisoning set up in one of his fingers and its quick spread considerably aggravated his already serious condition. Everything that medical skill, good nursing and devoted parent love could effect was done to save the young and promising life, but without avail. The little sufferer, too, put up a characteristically plucky fight, but it was not to be. Death severed the silver cord at dawn on Thursday and the soul fled away to early immortality. Few lads, if any, in the town were so well and popularly known as Horace Tomkies, and the grief his death has occasioned has been deep and widespread. He was a clear-eyed, frank, manly lad who scorned every mean action and who, right through, as a worthy son of a worthy sire, had ran the straight race and “played the game.” Truly, his life was being built securely with the square-hewn blocks of Christian principles and the corner stones of high endeavour. Yet he was just a boy — a real boy, full of wholesome fun and innocent youthful pranks — a typical young New Zealander, of good physique and bright intellect, brimming over with the joy of life. The cutting short of a promising life such as his makes one pause and wonder — but, in the words of Oxenham,
“God writes in characters too grand
For our short sight to understand;
We catch but broken strokes, and try
To fathom all the mystery
Of withered hopes, of death, of life, —
But there; with larger, clearer sight,
We shall see this — His way was right.”
Horace Ueira Tomkies was born at Wallsend, Grey, and with his parents he came to Queenstown over nine years ago. He received his primary education at the local Government school, and on leaving gained his proficiency. Since that time he had worked alongside his father, gaining his early mechanical knowledge as a preliminary to a proposed engineering course at the Technical College. The lad took part in all legitimate sport, being one of the Queenstown junior football fifteen and a member of the boys’ cricket club. He was also commencing to take part in local golf. Horace was also a member of the Queenstown Habitation of the Young Helpers’ League connected, with Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, and his clever fingers were able to give the branch very appreciable help when the League sales were being organised.
The deepest sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Tomkies and their family in their heavy sorrow, sympathetic messages having been received by them from all parts of the Dominion.
The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, when the remains were interred in the local cemetery. The cortege was a very large one, the local school and clubs with which the lad was associated being fully represented. The coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths, and others sent from several parts of Otago and Southland have since been laid on the grave. Included in the number was one from the Queenstown Public School and one from the Arrowtown junior foot ball and cricket clubs.
Just before the concluding prayer at the burial service, the, Rev R. de Lambert, who conducted the obsequies, turned to the boys standing around the grave and addressed them in a few touching words anent the passing of their young companion. He said that although Horace Tomkies had departed to another world he must have left an impress for good on their minds, so that the lad had not lived in vain. He had been a noble example of boyish manliness, of chivalry, and of a strict adherance to Christian principles which other boys should endeavour to emulate. Death had no sting since the Saviour had died. Horace had gone, simple and trusting, into the presence of his All-wise Heavenly Father, there to await the great Judgment Day when all would have to give an account of themselves.
The services in St. Pater’s Church on Sunday last were memorial in character, deceased lad having been closely associated with the church in the self-imposed duties of lamplighting, bellringing and organ blowing. At the evening service the organist played Chopin’s “Marche Funebre” as a special tribute, to his memory, and “O, Rest in the Lord” as an outgoing voluntary. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 28/8/1923.
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