CASS, THOMAS (1817-95) was a native of Yorkshire. He received his education at Christ's Hospital, where he was for four years on the Royal Mathematical foundation. On leaving school he went to sea, and for the next three years sailed chiefly in the East India trade. On returning home he studied architecture and surveying and was an assistant in the tithe commission office at Somerset House. This involved much surveying and land valuing, and Cass received a thorough grounding in field work.

In 1841, on the recommendation of Captain Dawson, R.E., he was appointed to the surveying staff of the New Zealand Company at a salary of £200 a year. Ligar (the surveyor general), embarked with his staff in Apr 1841, in the Prince Rupert (owned and commanded by Sir Henry Esch Atkinson). Amongst the passengers was William Spain (chief land claims commissioner). Provisions ran short and Atkinson put into Bahia. On 4 Sep, when about to enter Table Bay, the Prince Rupert struck a rock and became a total wreck. Cass and the other surveyors, who lost much of their outfit, were brought on by the Antilla and reached Auckland in Dec. For some months Cass was employed on surveys under the land claims commission, first on the north shore of Waitemata harbour and then in the vicinity of Bay of Islands. He assisted in surveying the town of Kororareka, exploring the country to the northward, and cutting lines for the roads to Hokianga, Whangaroa and Mangonui.

At the end of 1844 a reduction of the survey staff threw him out of employment, and he joined the government brig Victoria, first as second officer and then as chief. He saw much rough work, and not a little fighting, first in connection with the sack of Kororareka (1845) and later in the operations about Cook Strait. While on the coast of the South Island Cass took in custody to Auckland men who had stuck up the Greenwoods' station at Purau and threatened the Deans family at Riccarton. In 1847 he returned to England. There he represented to the New Zealand Company the loss he had sustained by the termination of his employment, and as a result he was appointed assistant-surveyor under Captain Thomas to prepare for the Canterbury settlement. Sailing in the Bernicia, he reached Canterbury in Dec 1848, the other members of the party being E. Jollie, C. O. Torlesse, Gollan, S. Hewlings and John Boys. In 1849 Cass took part in the survey of Lyttelton harbour and Banks Peninsula, and then in the triangulation of the Canterbury Block. His name was given to a river flowing out of the Alps, a peak in Banks Peninsula and one of the bays in Port Cooper.

Shortly after the arrival of the Canterbury pilgrims Thomas retired and Cass succeeded him as chief surveyor (1851). He was present at the first allotment of town and country lands and until failing health compelled him to retire on pension (1868) Cass administered the post with efficiency and vigour. In 1854 he went to the site of Timaru and with W. Brittan reported on the steps that were necessary. Though holding an official position Cass was not debarred from membership of the Provincial Council. He was one of the first members for the City of Christchurch (Sep 1853). Standing for cheap land and improved communications, he polled 77 votes, followed by S Bealey 74, Packer 71, Fooks 51, Dobson 21. He retired from the Council in 1855, but was in again (1857-60). He was repeatedly a member of the provincial executive and on two occasions led an executive of his own. In 1858 he was on a commission appointed by Moorhouse to report upon the best route for the railway to the port. In 1853, with Sewell and the Rev R. B. Paul, he fixed the site for Christ's College. For 10 years Cass was a commissioner of the waste land board, and from 1858 a commissioner of native reserves. After retiring from the council he was several times in the executive, and again in 1863 he led an executive. In 1864 he was chairman of the railway and bridge commission.

Cox remarks that Cass was 'the lightest-hearted and youngest man that ever went through 30 years of the toughest work.' On retiring he paid a visit to Great Britain. There again his services were requisitioned as emigration officer (until 1868). Returning to Canterbury, he served another three years on the waste lands board. He was for many years a church warden at St Michael's.

Cass married (1856) the widow of David Theodore Williams, manager of the Deans estate. She died in 1886. Cass died on 17 Apr 1895.

N.Z.C.; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Wigram; Alpers; Cox; The Press, 3 May 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 90

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