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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Mr. William Thomas
Mr. William Thomas was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1811. His father was a soldier in the 17th Light Dragoons, and served as orderly to Governors Bligh, King, and Macquarie. One day while Governor Macquarie's wife was driving out, the coachman drove over and killed one of the orderly's boys, a child of two, which so affected the father that he left Sydney, and went to Tasmania, where he died. It is said that Governor Macquarie made a grant of land to Mr Thomas, as some compensation for the loss of his child; and as this land has not been secured yet, Mrs Simon's family would seem to have a claim to it Be this as it may, Mrs Simon's father, while a mere boy, ran away from school, went to sea, and found employment in whaling. He was one of those who became associated with Stewart Island in the very early days, when he settled at the Neck, and afterwards had land at Pegasus. He engaged for many years in whaling, and settled down in his old age at Herne Hill, Myross bush. Mr Thomas was married, in 1842, on the occasion of the first visit of Bishop Selwyn, to a chieftainess of one of the native tribes of New Zealand. His wife was related to the celebrated chief Hoani Tu-hawa-iki, who was known, in the playful vernacular of the whalers, as “Bloody Jack.” In reality, Tu-hawa-iki was a brave, wise and moderate-minded man, and a strong friend to the pioneer colonists of southern New Zealand. He was born on the islet of Tauhinu, now known as Inchclutha. Dr Hocken, in his invaluable Early History of New Zealand, says that Tu-hawa-iki “was a most intelligent and agreeable native, and possessed considerable influence far and near with his countrymen. His signature appears first on the deed of purchase of the Otakou block, and to his influence, the amicable and speedy character of the final arrangements was principally due. He little deserved, and was, indeed, ashamed of the sobriquet applied to him by the whalers—Bloody Jack—which was derived from the fact that, as a bold warrior, he had been in the constant habit of drilling his followers at the the time when the fierce Ruaperaha made his bloody raids upon the inhabitants page 1055 of this island.” The price given for the 400,000 acres of the Otakou block was £2,400, and Tuhawa-iki's portion was £900. “This,” says Dr. Hocken, “was devoted to the purchase and fitting out of a little vessel, with which to extend the trade which he already carried on. Bold and skilful sailor as he was, he lost his life soon afterwards—in November, 1844—whilst piloting his boat through a tempestuous sea off Moeraki. He was standing at the steer oar, when a tremendous wave struck it so as to knock him overboard, and no effort availed to save him from his watery grave. So perished John Tu-hawa-iki, esteemed and liked by both pakeha and Maori for his intelligence, courage, and justice.” The descendants of Tu-hawa-iki and of the early colonists have, therefore, good cause to cherish his memory; those as that of a princely progenitor, and these, as that of a true, wise, and strong friend of their fathers. Mr Thomas, who was predeceased by his wife, died at Myross Bush, in 1899, leaving five daughters and four sons.