BY ROBYN PARKES
Thomas Bell was born at Belgrove in 1857 to James and Mary Ann Bell. Later the family relocated to the homestead ‘Bellvue’ in Richmond.
Thomas was educated at Richmond Public School and after leaving school he engaged in farming at Appleby, Tākaka and Hope before settling in Murchison.
Thomas quickly closely identified with the progress of the district and the welfare of the settlers and in public matters.
He was held in high esteem within the Murchison community and was always willing to do the work that was needed.
He was more than happy to travel some distance from his homestead, at times crossing swollen rivers, night or day, to help anyone in need.
In the absence of medical aid he was looked upon as the local “doctor,” and many times gave assistance in cases of serious accident or illness.
For 18 years Thomas represented Murchison on the Inangahua County Council, and was a member of the Licensing Bench, the School Committee and other organisations, working towards the advancement and development of the district.
He was also a prominent member of Oddfellows Order and one of the founders of the Loyal Lodge in Murchison.
In 1898, at Murchison, he was presented with an enlarged, framed photo of himself and his wife, and a purse of sovereigns, in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him in cases of accident and sickness.
Thomas’s humble reply was that the pleasure he gained was in the recovery of those he had helped, and any trouble he may have taken was amply rewarded – such was the statute of the man.
Tragedy struck in May 1907 when Thomas’s wife Eliza was killed in a tram accident in Wellington in which he was also injured, with recovery taking some time.
Due to ongoing health issues and problems with pleurisy, Thomas found it necessary to return the warmer and sunnier climate of Richmond around 1908.
On his return, he at once entered into local matters.
He was, for seven years, a member of the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, representing the combined districts of Waimea, Murchison and Motueka, and was elected to the position of chairman.
He was also the representative for Richmond on the Nelson Harbour Board and a member of Richmond Borough Council.
Thomas was a frequent contributor to the Evening Mail, voicing his opinions, concerns and comments. The aim for the activity was that as long as he was furthering the interests of the community, his purpose was served.
He was elected as Mayor of Richmond in April 1917, being the only candidate, but died suddenly the following month on 13 May.
He was succeeded in office by William Wilkes.
The day of his death, Thomas had just conducted the service at Brightwater Methodist Church.
On returning home around 9.30am he went to bed where he suffered a brain aneurysm.
The funeral took place on 16 May at Richmond Cemetery and was one of the largest in the district up to that point in time.
Attending were representatives from all the local bodies he had been involved with, the Mayors of both Nelson and Motueka, councillors of Richmond Borough Council, chairman of Murchison County Council and a good number of residents from Murchison.
Richmond’s Bell St was named after Thomas.
