The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931)(about) |
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Wednesday 17 October 1906
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T1IELA.TE MR. T. ATKINSON.
Mr. Thomas Atkinson, whose death at Willunga -was announced in '"The Adver- tiser" yesterday, was the fourth, son of tho late Mr- Robert Atkinson, of Sni- terby, Lincolnshire, and was born in July, 1S22. He became an orphan, at the age of 9, and shortly afterwards, with his three bro- thers, crossed from England to America. After spending a little while in America, the four brother's decided to come to Aus
tralia, and arrived at Holdfast Bay in the barque Singapore on November 12, 1S39. The deceased . Had an idea of architecture and building, and was of considerable assis- tance in the building of the first homestead at Kangarilla. After some months in that locality they decided to move to Willunga, at which place they formed a cattle station and dairy, in combination with which they worked a farm. Although their first stock was very expensive they managed to found a valuable herd, which was added to from the cattle of Messrs' Frew, Rankine, and others, the "M.A." brand thus formed being well known. Some of the bullocks were subsequently used when the Burra copper mines were opened up, and from the dairy herd thus formed the deceased ex- ported what is believed to have been the first butter sent from this State. One of the early ventures of Mr. Thomas Atkin- son was the erection of the first hotel at Willunga, which he built in 1840 for the accommodation of travellers looking out for land in that locality. Subsequently the partnership which, had hitherto ex- isted between the four brothers was dissolved, and the deceased bought Ashley Farm where, with Mrs. At- kinson, he had resided ever since. The de- ceased had always made a point of keeping well abreast of the times in his farming and rural occupations. From the studs o£ Sir J. Hurtle Fisher and Messrs. Haines and Dunn he constantly improved his herd, and waa a successful competitor at the early shows held in Adelaide. For some years past he had taken great interest in im- proving the breed of horses which he owned, and at one time had as many as three racing horses in his stables. With. these he was moderately successful. Mr. Atkinson spent a large portion of his time in public duties. He was one of the first Road Commissioners in Governor Young's time, and was a member of the district council for 28 consecutive years. In July, 1898, he retired from municipal affairs, his services being, at that time, recognised by the public presentation of an address. Hie was elected to Parliament as the repre- sentative of Noarlunga in 1878, but al- though his knowledge of the country "was wide he was known in Parliament as 'the Silent Member." He was a member of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and was a commit teeman and judge of horse stock for 14 years subsequent to 1850. Mr. Atkinson represented this State at the Melbourne and Sydney exhibitions, and was also a member of the local school board of advice. He took a keen interest in volunteer military movements, and in 1S60 was appointed captain of the Willunga Rifle Volunteers, becoming in 1893 honorary captain of the Mounted Volunteer Force; He supported all sports and pastimes, and gave ready assistance to all public enter- tainments. The deceased, who was 84 years
of age, was highly respected, and will be much missed in the district he has made so long his home.