Jane Elison Thomas, (1854-4/9/1879). "her many good qualities"

It is to-day our duty to record the painfully sudden death of Miss Jane Elison Thomas, one of the mistresses of the Oamaru High School, which occurred early thi3 morning at her father's residence, Waiareka Junction. The deceased young lady attended as usual at the school on Friday, and after completing her duties, she remained for some time to make up some returns. On reaching her home, we believe, she fell exhausted at the door, but though it was evident that Miss Thomas was unwell, her indisposition was not looked upon as likely to have a serious ending. Miss Thomas was well known and highly respected in Oamaru, having grown up from childhood into womanhood in the district. She was loved for her many good qualities, and her large circle of friends will regret to learn of her very sudden death.  -Oamaru Mail, 8/9/1879.

Many of our readers will learn with deep regret the death of Miss Jane Elison Thomas, formerly a school teacher at Waitahuna, and latterly one of the teachers of Oamaru High School. She died very suddenly on Friday, 5th inst., at her father's residence, Waiareka Junction, near Oamaru. Miss Thomas' death is thus referred to in our contemporary the "Oamaru Evening Mail: "— The deceased young lady attended as usual at the school on Friday, and, after completing her duties, she remained for some time to make up some returns. On reaching her home, we believe, she fell exhausted at the door, but though it was evident that Miss Thomas was unwell, her indisposition was not looked upon as likely to have a serious ending. Miss Thomas was well known and highly respected in Oamaru, having grown up from childhood into womanhood in the district. She was loved for her many good qualities, and her large circle of friends will regret to learn of her very sudden death.   -Tuapeka Times, 13/9/1879.

A meeting of the Oamaru School Committee was held at tho office of Mr Hardy, the secretary, yesterday evening. Mr Nell Fleming was in the chair, and Messrs W. J. Smith, Herdman, and D. S. Montagu, with the secretary and the Rector of the High School, were also present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward and inward correspondence was read and approved. A letter from the Rector of the High School was read, announcing the sudden death of one of the assistant mistresses, Miss Ellison Thomas, and it was resolved, "That a letter of condolence and sympathy with the young lady's family be forwarded, and that on the minutes of the committee there should be recorded the deep regret felt at the death of Miss Thomas, and the high appreciation of that lady's conduct in the capacity she filled in the school." The Secretary was instructed to write to the Board asking that the necessary steps should be taken to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Thomas's death.   -North Otago Times, 13/9/1879.

The funeral of the late Miss Thomas (Oamaru), whose early and unexpected death was noticed in a recent issue, was very largely attended. Nearly 200 persons (says the "North Otago Times,") including a large number of the deceased lady's late pupils, followed her remains to the Cemetery, where the service was performed by the Rev. Algernon Gifford (incumbent of St Luke's Episcopal Church, Tees-street, Oamaru.)  -Tuapeka Times, 20/9/1879.

Oamaru Cemetery.