Godfrey Kemp, 1838-12/11/1873. "reading of his own death"

A shocking accident occurred in Rattray street a little after five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Godfrey Kemp, a waiter employed at Court’s hotel, was engaged in cleaning a window on the second storey, and relaxing by some means his hold, fell a distance of forty-five feet, on his side, on to the macadamised yard, which serves as a right-of-way between the hotel and Messrs Flexman and Curran’s premises adjoining. He was at once picked up and conveyed to the Hospital, where his injuries were found to be of a very serious nature — a compound fracture of the right arm below the elbow, the member being literally smashed to a pulp, face and extremities badly hurt, and a severe shock to the system.   -Evening Star, 7/11/1873.

We have been requested to state that the paragraph in this morning’s Daily Times, announcing the death of Godfrey Kemp, who fell from a third-storey window at Court’s hotel on Thursday, is incorrect, the fact being that the man is not only alive, but strange to say, considering the nature of his accident, in a fair way towards recovery.   -Evening Star, 10/11/1873.

The Rattray street accident has had a fatal termination after all, the unfortunate man Godfrey Kemp having died at the Hospital at eight o’clock this morning. An inquest was held before the City Coroner this forenoon, when Dr Yates deposed that death was caused by the deceased having received a compound fracture of the arm below the elbow, from which mortification set in two days since. The doctor was also of opinion that Kemp had received some internal injury. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Killed,” to which was added the following rider: — “The jury, after hearing the evidence, learn that a most unsafe way of cleaning upper windows obtains in this town, they are therefore of opinion that a bye-law should be passed rendering it compulsory that all householders should use or cause to be used an apparatus specially made.”   -Evening Star, 12/11/1873.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Mr Godfrey Kemp are respectfully requested to follow his remains to the Northern Cemetery. The funeral will leave my residence, George street, at 3 p.m. To-morrow. 

Robt. Lambert, Undertaker, George street.  -Evening Star, 13/11/1873.

The poor fellow who fell from an upper storey window of the Otago Hotel a few days since, and whose death was erroneously reported the day before yesterday, died in the Hospital this morning, mortification of the injured arm having set in two days since. At the inquest which was held to day, Dr. Yates, the Resident Surgeon of. the Hospital, stated that deceased had also received some internal injury. The jury, in giving a verdict of "Accidental Death," added a rider to the effect that they considered it necessary that a bye-law should be passed rendering it compulsory on householders to use some apparatus specially made for the purpose of cleaning window at a height from the ground, instead of the most dangerous practice which at present prevails. To any of your readers who remember the Otago Hotel, where the accident under notice occurred, the wonder will be that Godfrey Kemp ever spoke after the frightful shock he must have received after falling from such a height.  -Tuapeka Times, 15/11/1873.

The Guardian of a late date has the following: — “We have been requested to contradict a report published by our contemporary yesterday morning, that the man Godfrey Kemp, who had been injured by a fall from the upper story of Court’s Otago Hotel, had died the previous evening. On reading the report friends went to the Hospital to look after the the funeral, but found an essential ingredient wanting, the man, instead of being dead, being engaged reading of his own death.”  -Cromwell Argus, 18/11/1873.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

787649 Corporal Bohuslav Jurek, 11/4/1910-29/6/1970. "died in Cherry Farm"

Bohuslav Jurek was born in Czechoslovakia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in the village of Vranova, Moravia.

He served with the Royal Air Force in the Second World War, as a fitter/armourer in 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron and was likely repatriated when the Squadron disbanded in 1946.  In 1948 an election, which might not have been entirely democratic, aligned Czechoslovakia with the USSR.  With communist control from Moscow, Czech citizens who had served with the forces of foreign countries became suspected of spying for those countries and were generally distrusted by the Moscow-backed authorities.  

Bohuslav Jurek came to New Zealand in 1949.  He died in Cherry Farm, Dunedin's mental hospital, in 1970.  

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.

822265 Colonel James Gordon Jefferey, MC, VD, 7/1/1890-2/9/1966. "first to fire at Gallipoli"

The newspapers, throughout James Jefferey's life, spelt his name incorrectly.  This caused some initial confusion while searching "Papers past" for James' story.  I have left the papers' spelling as is and referred to him myself with the correct spelling.

PERSONAL. 

At Messrs J. Wilkie and Co.'s warehouse this morning Sergeant James Gordon Jeffery, who has gone with the Expeditionary Force, was presented by his fellow-employees with a silver wristlet watch. Mr W. G. Somerville, in making the presentation, said that if Mr Jeffery carried out his duties with the same zeal and devotion as he had done for his firm he would be a credit to all. He also stated that his position would be open whenever he returned, and that during his absence a liberal portion of his salary would be set aside. Three cheers for Mr Jeffery concluded the function.  -Evening Star, 21/8/1914.

By the end of the year, on the list of the 2nd Reinforcements, James Jefferey is listed with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

2nd Lieutenant Jefferey was an artilleryman and it was his Battery which was the first to fire at Gallipoli, on April 26.  Anzac troops were being hard pressed by Turkish artillery and the sound of their own guns was music to their ears, as recorded by the NZFA's Official History: "During the night the guns of the 4th Battery were unloaded from the Australind on to barges. The Left Section of the Battery landed at 6.30 a.m. on the 26th April, and immediately went into action at the foot of Howitzer Gully, the guns being pulled along the beach by two teams of Australian horses which had been brought ashore the previous afternoon. The first round, fired at ten minutes to seven, was sent into the "blue" at a range of three thousand yards, so that the infantry might know without delay that their artillery had commenced to arrive, and an involuntary cheer went up from the hillside at the welcome sound. It was music to the ears of the battle-weary men in the line Within a few minutes of firing its first round the section had been linked up with an observing station on Plugge's Plateau, and was busy engaging targets with an unvarying accuracy that certainly did not suggest that the gunners were having their first practice with live shell. Soon after coming into action this section was engaged by hostile guns firing from Gaba Tepe, but they were silenced by the fire of the warships. The remaining two guns of the Battery were landed about noon, and occupied positions which had been prepared overnight to the north of Ari Burnu Point. The first target was the Fisherman's Hut, from which enemy snipers had done a good deal of execution, and a direct hit was registered with the third round. These two guns remained in action on Ari Burnu during the whole period of the campaign, being moved only when the orders came for evacuation."

2nd Lt. Jefferey was evacuated from the peninsula to Egypt with "slight bronchitis and jaundice." He was back  with his Battery in just over one month.

PERSONALIA

Lieutenant J. G. Jeffrey, of Dunedin, has received a captaincy. Captain Jeffery — then a sergeant — was one of the first of the B Battery, Dunedin, to enlist in the beginning of August, 1914. On going into camp he was made Sergeant-major, but was not allowed to go with the first contingent, being held back until the 5th Reinforcements went, when he embarked as second-lieutenant. He was with the 1st Howitzer Battery, landing at Gallipoli, and also with the 1st New Zealand battery landing in France. At the end of last year he received his lieutenancy.  -NZ Times, 4/11/1916.

Captain James Jefferey was awarded the Military Cross in the 1918 New Years Honours list. 

MAJOR JEFFERY, M.C. 

A cablegram has boon received saying that Captain J. G. Jeffery M.C., has received his majority. Major Jeffery was one of the first — if not the first — of the B Battery to volunteer, and was passed as fit on August 14, 1914. He immediately went into camp, where he completed his examination for a second lieutenancy. He was ready to go with the first troops, but was held back to give instructional work in the howitzer. He got away with the second instalment before Christmas. He was with the Anzacs at the historic landing, though the howitzers were not got ashore until midnight. Much to his regret, he missed the evacuation, having been invalided to Egypt a week before it took place. About this time he received his first lieutenancy, and shortly after embarked for France, where again he landed with the first New Zealand howitzer. Though, so far, he has escaped injury, he has had many close calls, and twice his bivvie and belongings have "gone west." About 13 months ago he received his captaincy, and at the beginning of this year had the Military Cross conferred on him. Of this he wrote recently: "I got it for the Passchendaele fighting. I certainly worked hard there, and had a thin time of it, but so did the battery, so I take the decoration more as an honour to my battery through myself than anything else." It was about this time, too, that for over six weeks he had not his clothes off except once to change his underclothing, and so strenuous was the work and so bad the going, that the men had to be hauled out of the mud with drag ropes. Latest accounts of him tell of his being invalided to England before Christmas with laryngitis, and subsequently with trench fever. His two brothers (the fourth and remaining one is to go into camp this month, having just come of age), Q.M. Sergeant H. C. Jeffery and Driver J. R. Jeffery, are happy in being near him at the front, while his sister, Sister M. Jeffery, one of the sisters in charge at Oatlands Park, is known to many returned men as a capable nurse.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/4/1918.

At the end of the war Major Jefferey briefly joined the ANZAC troops which occupied part of Germany just after the war and returned to Dunedin in July, 1919.

In November, 1919, he was "Major J G Jefferey (late NZFA)" when reported as judging the local Territorials' competition for the Otago Boys' High School.

Personal

Mr J G Jeffrey, representative for Messrs J Wilkie and Co. on the West Coast of the South Island, has been transferred to Dunedin, and arrived in the city by the second express last night.   -Otago Daily Times, 10/12/1920.

TERRITORIALS

[By Skirmisher.] 

Items of interest concerning Corps (Town and Country), shooting, and Territorial notes generally will he accepted. Copy, addressed to “ Skirmisher, should be in hand not later than Monday morning.

The fortnightly meeting of the Otago Officers’ Club was held on Monday evening, and, judging from the comparatively small attendance (about thirty), it was considered that a tactical blunder had been made by holding the meeting on a holiday. The lecturer of the evening, Major J. G. Jeffery, MC, was inclined to blame the subject o£ his lecture as the reason for the small attendance. Be that as it may, those present were treated to a most interesting discourse on ‘Sound Ranging’ as applied on the western front. Major Jeffery’s listeners largely consisted of artillery officers, and to them the lecture would appeal more directly. He made use of nicely-drawn diagrams by way of bringing out the main points of his remarks. Colonel T, Chalmer moved a vote of thanks to the speaker, which was carried by acclamation. Before calling upon Major Jeffery to speak, the chairman (Brigadier Smith) introduced a visitor, Captain Holderness, to the assemblage, and also convoyed an apology for the absence of Major Dampen, who is at present attending the Waitaki High School barracks at Oamaru. At the close of the lecture matters of business were talked over, and the proposal to hold a dance was again put in motion by the chairman. After some discussion Captain I. W. Cowie headed a committee consisting of Flight Commander C. A. Umbers, Lieutenant G. Carter, and Lieutenant W. Wilson. It was decided to hold at the club rooms next Thursday evening a dance, particulars of which will be communicated to all members by the secretary at an early date. This should be a very enjoyable function, and it rests with members themselves to make it a success both financially and socially. 

The first round of the club billiard tournament is nearing completion, and the Chairman expressed a wish that those members who are playing in the first round should complete as early as possible to allow for the rearrangement for the second round. The membership of the club is rapidly increasing, and, in spite of this, there are many officers still standing out who should be enjoying the privileges membership affords. In addition to the fortnightly lectures, the energetic secretary (Major W. J. Worthington) is in attendance every Friday evening, when the club rooms are open and at the disposal of members. 

In the course of his address Major Jeffery stated that at the battle of Arras so accurate had been the work of the field surveying companies that 97 per cent. of the German guns were located, and at Messines it was the same. Again, for the attack of the fourth army on August 8, 1918, so successful was the counter-battery work that scarcely a German gun was in action opposite the whole army front. This result was due to a large extent to the accuracy of locations made during the days prior to the attack. During 1917 over 30,000 locations were obtained by sound alone in the whole British fronts number exceeding that for any other method of location.  -Evening Star, 29/9/1922.

James Jefferey married at about this time - the first appearance of a "Mrs J G Jefferey" in the newspapers is in 1923 - and remained connected with the Territorial Army and in 1927 was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Officers' Decoration (otherwise known, I believe, as the Volunteer Decoration, or VD.)

Personal

Lieut.-Colonel R. C. Wickens, D.S.O., V.D., of the New Zealand Artillery, has relinquished the appointment of Commander, 3rd Field Brigade, N.Z.A., and Artillery Group, Southern Command, and is transferred to the Reserve of Officers. He has been succeeded in the command of the Brigade by Major J. G. Jeffrey, M.C., who is granted the temporary rank of Lieut. Colonel.   -Timaru Herald, 11/9/1928.

EFFICIENT ARTILLERYMEN

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES 

A special parade of the 14th Medium Battery, New Zealand Artillery, was held at the Central Battery last night for the purpose of presenting the various prizes and trophies won during the year. There was a good muster, and the other Territorial and Naval Reserve units in the city were represented. A large number of ex-members of the battery were also present, also many ladies. 

The battery was drawn up under Major S. G. Scanlan, and on the arrival of Lieutenant-colonel J. G. Jeffrey, M.C., V.D., Officer Commanding the Southern Military Group, the Artillery Band, under Lieutenant Tregilgas, sounded the general salute. After inspecting the battery Colonel Jeffery addressed the men, stressing the need for some system of defence in every country. He also explained the present military position in New Zealand, and pointed out its value, both from the point of view of a soldier and the experience gained in knowing how to command men. The speaker also complimented the men on the high standard of efficiency they had attained, which, he affirmed, was almost up to that of the regular regiments of the British Army. Before distributing the prizes Second-lieutenant B. MacAvoy was presented with his officer’s commission. Lieutenant-colonel Jeffery then handed the prizes to the successful competitors.  -Evening Star, 14/5/1930.

Through the inter-war years James Jefferey divided his efforts between the Territorial Army and his work with the Manufacturers Association.  He was busy in the latter position during the depression years but military matters came to the fore with rising tensions in Europe and New Zealand's expectation of making its contribution, if necessary.  His Commission, relinquished on his retirement from the Army in 1933, was reinstated for more war service. In 1940 he was appointed Area Commander for the Otago District.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.— Mr Noel Coward, at the concert which he gave for the troops last night, is seen chatting with (left to right) Major J. G. Jeffrey (area staff officer), Lieutenant-colonel J. McPherson (National Reserve), Major E. Lloyd (staff officer), and Lieutenant-commander Welch (R.N.V.R.).  -Evening Star, 22/1/1941.

WAR ITEMS

DUNEDIN, October 4 

Strong exception to the practice of referring to New Zealand troops overseas as “boys” was voiced by Lieut.-Col. J. G. Jeffrey, Area Staff Officer. He described the practice as jingoistic and shallow. He said it was resented by the men themselves. “Right throughout the country you hear the men referred to as boys, and in my opinion, it is more than time that the term was dropped. Actually that is not just my opinion. It is the opinion of the troops overseas and has been spoken of several times by men invalided home. Those who have gone overseas are doing a man’s job.”   -Grey River Argus, 6/10/1941.

THE NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

TO THE EDITOR Sir, — If reported aright, Lieutenant-colonel J. G. Jeffrey has absolutely the wrong impression of the term “boys” as applied to members of the Expeditionary Force. Everyone knows they are doing a man’s job, and to call them by the endearing term “New Zealand boys” enhances the feeling by which they are held by the people at home. Whatever their age, they will never grow old, and, instead of being jingoistic and shallow, the boys from overseas — and as an ex-Canadian soldier I can vouch for it — especially New Zealanders, have a place deep and truly in the hearts of the Homeland folk. — I am, etc., J. Duffy. Greymouth, October 6.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/10/1942.

Wartime service meant dealing with much of the details that are essential but not at the "sharp end" of combat.  Inspections, conferences, parades - all vital but not the thing for a fighting officer.  But Jefferey was in his 50s by this time and would have been sensible and experienced enough not to crave a combat role.  In August, 1942, he was promoted to full Colonel and given the role of "fortress commander in the South Island" - it is possible that the region was deliberately left unnamed for security reasons.  He was also made an "A.D.C." - Aide de Camp on the Vice-Regal staff.  Eventually, in January 1944, he retired finally from the Army.

Post-war, he travelled a little, joined the Board of Directors of the National Airways Corporation, concerned himself with the business of business (especially with the Company of Williamson, Jeffery Ltd, manufacturing stationers) and maintained his connections with the Army.  

On September 30, 1963, he retired from the company.

Obituary

MR J. G. JEFFERY 

(N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN, Sept 4. A founder of Williamson Jeffery Ltd., and a prominent soldier, Mr James Gordon Jeffrey has died in Dunedin. He was 76. Born in Dunedin, he was educated at Otago Boys' High School. He was aide-de-camp to Sir Cyril Newall during his term as Governor-General. He was a subaltern with the first battery to go into action at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross at Passchendaele.

During the Second World War he was commander of the Otago area and later fortress commander of the Otago district and the port of Dunedin, with the rank of colonel.

Williamson and Jeffery Ltd., which he founded, grew to become one of the leading New Zealand stationery manufacturers. He retired as managing-director of the company in 1963. He was a former president of the Otago Officers’ Club. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.  -Press, 5/9/1966.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

9/1950 Sapper George Proctor, 16/10/1884-1/10/1917. "a young vocalist on active service"

A strapping young miner named George Proctor, of Otago, who had some vocal training in Dunedin, is making a name for himself about the firing line in France. He has won several classical competitions, and has been accorded the highest praise of French judges, who have spoken in warm terms of appreciation of his tenor voice. Mr. Proctor has been retained behind the lines specially to sing to wounded soldiers — surely a striking tribute to a young vocalist on active service. It is not long since a Government official in Kaitangata urged upon Mr. Proctor the wisdom of having his voice trained. He did, and scored an immediate success at the competitions in Dunedin. His latest efforts, however, are more noteworthy.   -Auckland Star, 21/2/1917.

Mr George Proctor, the young Dunedin tenor, who left with the 16th Reinforcements, in writing to his teacher, Mr Harold Browning, states that he was successful in winning the champion sacred and ballad items in a competition open to all the British, New Zealand and Australian troops in France.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 22/2/1917.

In a letter received by Mrs Montague from Private George Proctor (who will he remembered as a successful competitor at the local Competitions’ Society's festivals), he states that he is one of the New Zealand Pierrot party in France. Included in the party are Lance-corporal Prowse and Private Green, both old competitors at the Dunedin competitions. Private Proctor refers in his letter to the benefits he derived from the Dunedin Competitions, and also states that he has to thank Mrs Montague for her good advice. He is now singing with some of England’s best, and holding his own with them.  -Evening Star, 6/7/1917.

Private advice was received by Mr. and Mrs. Proctor, of Kakapuaka, on Monday, to the effect that their elder son, Sapper George Proctor, of the New Zealand Engineers, had died of wounds on October 1. The intelligence came as a shock to the family of deceased, and also to the residents of Kakapuaka, where Sapper Proctor was very well known, having resided with his parents in that district for some four years prior to enlistment. He was 32 years of age at the time of his death. Leaving New Zealand with the 8th or 9th contingent of Reinforcements, he had taken part in all the fighting gone through by that body of troops. No word had been previously received stating that deceased had been wounded.  -Clutha Leader, 12/10/1917.

SAPPER GEORGE PROCTOR. 

Sapper George Proctor (died of wounds) was the elder son of Mr and Mrs G. Proctor, Kakapuaka. He was born at Mount Stuart, and educated at Leith Valley School. He served his apprenticeship to the cabinetmaking with Messrs Nees and Sons, where he was very popular and highly respected. He left the firm about five years ago to join his brother in farming at Kakapuaka. He was a keen cyclist, having taken part in the road race from Timaru to Christchurch in 1911. He left Dunedin with the Ninth Reinforcements, and has been through all the fighting since then. The news of his death cast quite a gloom over both the district where his parents reside and the factory in which he had worked.   -Evening Star, 20/11/1917.

George Proctor was wounded on September 30th, 1917, when the NZ Engineers were working hard near the front line in preparation for the large attack now known as the Battle of Passchendaele.  "Bomb wound abdomen" is written in his army record. He died the next day in a Casualty Clearing Station.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

"Old Tom" - Thomas Wood, 1814-3/8/1885. "Genial, jovial, light-hearted"

Tom Wood on his Travels

Many of our readers will remember Mr Thomas Wood who was for a considerable time lessee of the billiard room at the Commercial Hotel, Milton. He is now in London, living at the Britannia Hotel in the City Road, kept by Mr Drummond, the husband of Dolly Green, the well-known actress. By the last mail, a lady residing in Dunedin received a letter from Mr Wood, and she has kindly placed it at our disposal:

London, 22nd May, 1876.

Dear Madam, After four months' travelling, I sit down to acquaint you with a few of my "sights." You know the grand sights and display that are to be seen at Cadova by seeing the natives come off to the vessels, and through the tropics to the Sandwich Islands. There I stopped one day, and was much delighted by seeing about 15 mules coining down through the valleys, loaded with bananas, to our good ship, consigned to merchants in 'Frisco. After leaving the Islands, Washington's birthday came on, and we had a grand ball on board. We enjoyed everything right through to 'Frisco.' Then agony began; for it hailed and rained in torrents. I saw all I could possibly see in one week - then for the snowy mountains. I stopped at Hogden, and went to the salt lakes the same night, for I could see nothing but snow, and the Tabernacle resembled a mushroom top among the snow. I went on Sacramento; there had been no trains through for three weeks. We had five engines on, and one snow plough. We buried one engine and smothered three Chinamen. At last we got through to Chicago, where I saw Julia Matthews and Johnny Hall. I stopped there two days, and then went to the Exhibition, where in three days I got disgusted, for the buildings there bear no comparison to our Crystal Palace or the Alexandra. I then went on to New York where I expected to see Mr Moody, but did not, through Mr C— — giving me the wrong address. I stopped in New York a week, and then left for Liverpool. As I do not like Liverpool I went on to London. 

Since I have been here we have had nothing but rain and bad weather, and I wish I had taken your advice, and stayed a couple of  months later. However, I pass my time seeing the fair sex — in Rotten Row, in the morning flower-shows, in Albert Hall, and at the Operas and fireworks in the evening. I have been to all the races, and saw the Inflexible launched at Portsmouth — the Prince's arrival, the banquet, the procession, and ball - a sight I shall never forget. As the song says, "I wish I were a boy again, and had but a thousand a year, gaffer." I saw Mr Sam Lazarus and several more old faces, and they all wished they were back in Dunedin. 

To conclude — I i hope this will find you in good health, asit has left me at present, thank God! Remember me to all old friends. 

Yours respectfully, Old Tom Wood.

PS. — If all is well, I will be back by November. I have not made up my mind which way I shall come.  I can get plenty of rooms in London but I cannot sit down to mark a game of billiards for very little play. TW.  -Bruce Herald, 25/7/1876.

Mr Thomas Wood, or "Old Tom Wood" — to use a name by which he is more generally known — has returned to New Zealand, and in a very short time he will be in Milton to entertain us with stories of his wonderful adventures on land and sea. It will be remembered that he left here less than a year ago to visit the Philadelphia Exhibition, and since then he has visited the Eastern and Western States of America, Great Britain, and the continent of Europe. Society in San Francisco did not suit Tom Wood, so after becoming pretty proficient in the use of the revolver he left for the East, carrying with him as mementos of his visit three revolver bullets in the calf of his left leg. He found Salt Lake City more to his taste, but there he narrowly escaped having thirteen wives and a small family of forty-seven children "sealed" to him, so he determined to move eastward again. At Brooklyn he met the Rev. Ward Beecher, who was delighted to hear that the people of Milton sympathised with him in his late troubles. Tom resisted the earnest entreaties of his eminent friend, and declined to take shares in a new church about to be started on Long Island. After being introduced to President Grant, he left New York for Liverpool, and soon found his way to London, where he was hospitably entertained by the Colonial Secretary. With much good sense, Mr Wood gracefully but firmly declined the honor of knighthood, and after wandering over the continent for a month or two became so disgusted with the effete civilisation of the old world that he determined to return to New Zealand once more. He will tell the rest himself. John Smith.  -Bruce Herald, 12/12/1876.

Most residents of Milton will remember Mr Thomas Wood, or if they don't remember him they may perhaps be able to recall "Old Tom" to their recollection. He left your township nearly two years ago, and after enjoying the hospitality of the King of Samoa, Brigham Young, the President of the United States, and an old lady who keeps a tea and shrimp shop at Gravesend, he returned to New Zealand firm in the conviction that marking billiards at sixpence per game in the old country was more than he could stand. Some months ago Thomas entered into arrangements with Mr W. L. Philp, of the Shamrock Hotel, who has just erected one of the most comfortable billiard rooms in town, and furnished it with one of the most handsome and expensive tables made by Alcock and Co, of Melbourne. The room was opened to the public on Friday night last, and the occasion was celebrated by an inaugural game at general pool and a grand supper. Tom did not succumb until a late hour in the morning, when he was borne on two billiard cues to his bed, where a facetious member of the company read the rules for devil's pool over his remains. He's better now; but a strong demand has increased the price of brandy and soda.  -Bruce Herald, 26/6/1877.

NO MORE BAD GAS. 

If you wish to see a Brilliant visit the Shamrock Billiard Saloon. TOM WOOD.    -Evening Star, 8/8/1877.

 An invitation was extended to our City Fathers by letter at last night's meeting, in the following terms: "Northern Hotel, Oamaru Feb. 3. 1881. — To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Oamaru Gentlemen, — I have the honor to invite you to inspect the splendid billiard saloon at the Northern Hotel this evening, where will be seen the prince of tables, the prince of markers, and the prince of lights; open for inspection up to 12 o'clock. — Yours faithfully, Old Tom Wood." Councillors smiled blandly as the letter was laid on the table.  -North Otago Times, 4/2/1881.

BILLIARDS. 

£500 CHALLENGE £500 

for the Best Table in the Colony, 

THE PRINCE OF TABLES, 

THE PRINCE OF MARKERS, 

AND THE PRINCE OF LIGHTS, 

To be found at THE NORTHERN HOTEL. 

Grand Room. Furniture unsurpassed, 

OLD TOM WOOD, (From the Shamrock Hotel Dunedin,) 

Has the pleasure to announce that he has brought up his Magnificent Alcock Table for the use of the Oamaru players; and by his well-known attention and civility, hopes to meet with the public patronage.

Pool every night.  -Oamaru Mail, 10/2/1881.

BILLIARDS. BILLIARDS, 

OLD TOM WOOD 

(late of the Shamrock Billiard Roam) is now in harness, having taken the Royal Exchange Room, which is furnished with two of Alcock’s best Tables, and invites his old friends to rally round.

Pool every night.  -Evening Star, 3/9/1881.

ROYAL EXCHANGE HOTEL.

This extensive hotel, having changed hands of late, has undergone a thorough renovation, improvements having been effected in every part of the house. A new and commodious billiard-room has been opened on the righthand side of the main entrance, and besides being fitted up in first-class style it contains two of Alcock's tables of the best kind, lighted by improved patent gasaliers, telescopemovement, the whole being under the supervision of the well-known veteran marker, Mr Tom Wood. Lavatories and other conveniences in connection with the billiard-room have been erected and fitted with every requisite.-Otago Daily Times, 30/12/1881.

The Royal Exchange Hotel building was demolished to make a council-owned car park at Queens Gardens.  The site is currently being built on.  A gasalier was, unsurprisingly, a chandelier lit with gas.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE BILLIARDROOM 

is now Open under the Management of the Renowned Tom Wood. For style and comfort this room stands unrivalled in the Australian colonies.  -Evening Star, 11/3/1882.

Many old colonists will regret to hear of the death of Mr Thomas E Wood, familiarly known as Tom Wood, who died this morning, after several months' illness, at an age closely approaching four-score years. The deceased, in the "good" diggings days in Victoria, acted as coach-driver and agent for Cobb and Co. between Geelong and Ballarat, and, on the first rush to Otago breaking out, came over here, where he also worked for the firm of Cobb and Co., driving for them principally north of Oamaru. He was specially well known in Dunedin and Tokomairiro, and was a universal favorite from his genial habits.  -Evening Star, 3/8/1885.

Genial, jovial, light-hearted Tom Wood has also joined the majority, and his well-known figure and "frosty pow" will be no longer seen in our streets, Thomas Wood was known to most people in Dunedin as the lessee of several billiard-rooms — and those he kept were always distinguished for their freedom from the objectionable features common to some — but old Victorians will know him best as the second, if not even the first, driver of Cobb's coach between Melbourne and Ballarat, and many will remember him when handling the reins for Cobb in Otago. Vale!  -Cromwell Argus, 11/8/1885.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.

Thomas Cossens, 1846-25/3/1891. "constantly engaged in business"

The friends of Mr Thomas Cossens will regret to hear of his death, which took place at his residence at Macandrew road, South Dunedin, between 12 and 1 o'clock yesterday morning. The deceased was born in Forfar, Scotland, and was 47 years of age at the time of his death. He arrived in the colony in 1870, and afterwards spent a few years on the goldfields. In 1876 he started in business in Crawford street, in conjunction with Mr Alexander Black, the firm carrying on under the style of Cossens and Black, engineers and ironfounders. Since that time he has been constantly engaged in business until within a few days of his death, which resulted from pneumonia. Mr Cossens was known in a public capacity in connection with the South Dunedin Council, of which body he was a member for some years. He also thought of contesting the mayoral seat with Mr Wardrop at the last annual election in the borough, but after being nominated he withdrew from the contest. In private life he was known to be exceedingly goodnatured, and gained the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He leaves a widow and four young children to mourn their loss.   -Otago Daily Times, 26/3/1891.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.

8/1411 Sergeant Walter Harold Brook 8/7/1888-25/11/1918. "gained his stripes on the field in France"

The death occurred in the Dunedin Hospital yesterday of Auxiliary Fireman Walter Harold Brook. The deceased was in his thirtieth year, and joined the Dunedin City Brigade in March, 1912. He left in December, 1914, and left New Zealand with the 3rd Reinforcements. He took part in the landing at Gallipoli, and went right through the campaign, being there at the evacuation. He went to France, and was seriously wounded in the face and neck at Amentieres by shrapnel. After being in hospital in England for some time he was invalided back to New Zealand over 12 months ago. He rejoined the brigade as an auxiliary fireman, and consistently carried out his duties up to the time he contracted the malady. The deceased was one of the most enthusiastic and popular members of the Dunedin City Brigade. The late Sergeant Brook, who gained his stripes on the field in France, will be accorded a military and fireman's funeral.   -Otago Daily Times, 26/11/1918.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

BROOK. — On November 25, at Dunedin Hospital, Walter Harold Brook (3rd Reinforcements), beloved son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Brook, of Lumsden; aged 29 years. Deeply mourned.  -Otago Witness, 27/11/1918.

The remains of Fireman Walter Harold Brook, who left the City Fire Brigade soon after the war broke out, who saw much active service, and on returning to Dunedin rejoined the brigade, were accorded a military and fireman's funeral yesterday. Fireman Brook died on Monday as the result of an attack of the prevailing malady. The procession was formed at the Hospital, and proceeded to the Anderson's Bay Cemetery, the place of interment. The Defence Department was represented by Major Fleming, Captain Myers, Captain Salmon, and Sergeant-Major Little, and the fire brigade by a fire motor and seven men, the firemen acting as pall-bearers. The funeral service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. Mr Wingfield.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/11/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.