Mr. Thomas Tombs was a Member of the Town Council which was merged into the first City Council in 1868. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, in the year 1809, was brought up to the trade of a builder, and came to New Zealand by the ship Duke of Portland,” on her second voyage in 1852. Mr. Tombs followed his trade in Christchurch with credit and success, and built the Christchurch Club, Messrs Cook and Ross's shop, Miles and Co.'s buildings, the first Avonside Church, as well as many other places. After a useful life Mr. Tombs died in 1880, leaving a widow and five children. One of the sons is Mr. George Tombs, J.P., partner in the firm of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited.