Biography

Thomas Frew and William Hay, both buried in the Northern Cemetery, were killed in the Kaitangata Coalmine disaster of 1879.

Otago Daily Times, 24 February 1879:- Funeral Notice: The friends of the late Thomas Frew who was killed in the recent collier accident at Kaitangata, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, leaving his late residence, King St North, near Hutchinson’s Hotel, this day (Monday), 24th February, at 4 o’clock, for the Northern Cemetery. Funeral Notice: The Friends of the late William Hay (brother-in-law to Robert Hardie, baker, Mosgiel) are requested to attend the funeral, which will leave Mr Leisters residence, Palmer’s cottages, Great King St, for the Northern Cemetery, this day (Monday), February 24th, at 4 pm.

Otago Daily Times Supplement 25 February 1879:- The funeral of two of the miners – Thomas Frew and William Hay – who lost their lives by the recent explosion in the Kaitangata’s coal-mine, took place yesterday afternoon. The inclemency of the weather no doubt prevented members from attending to manifest their sympathy, but still about fifty persons followed the remains of Thomas Frew, and forty the remains of Thomas Hay. Eight carriages also joined the procession, and between 200 and 300 persons had assembled at the cemetery before the arrival of the funeral cortege. The service was read over the remains of Thomas Frew but the Rev. Dr. Smart, and the Rev. Josiah Ward conducted the funeral service of William Hay, who was a member of his congregation.<.p>

The Roll of the Dead in Evening Post 22 February 1879 describes Thomas Frew as a middle-aged man, leaving a wife and five children residing in Dunedin, two of them grown daughters thought to be working in a factory. William Hay is described as a young man, unmarried, whose sister is Mrs Hardie, wife of the baker at Green Island and who also had a brother elsewhere in the colony.