THOMPSON, THOMAS (1832-1919) was born at Cork in 1832, educated there and trained as a grocer and provision merchant. He was attracted to Victoria in 1853, and commenced running stores from Melbourne to the goldfields; but his health failing, in 1855 he settled in Auckland and carried on a grocery business till 1883. He took an interest in the volunteer movement from 1858 and was one of the first draft raised to serve in the Waikato (1863). In 1867 he gained his commission as lieutenant. Thompson took a part in local government being in turn chairman of the Mount Eden town board, the domain board, school committee and licensing committee and a member of the Auckland harbour board and the Auckland City Council (1878-84). A Liberal in politics, he was elected in 1884 for Auckland North, which he represented in Parliament until 1890, when he was returned for the City of Auckland, which he represented until 1893 and again from 1895 until he retired in 1899. He joined the Seddon ministry in 1896 and was Minister of Justice, Industries and Commerce and Defence. He was called to the Legislative Council in 1903, again in 1910 and retired in 1917. He died on 21 Jan 1919.

N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug 1919; Parltry Record; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z. Herald, 22 Jan 1919.

Reference: Volume 2, page 193

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