Friends of Hastings Cemetery

Always a temperance man, Mr Brett did not agree with the tactics of the militant zealot who would thrust his opinions down everybody's throat. In the days of the old Norman Road Temperance Hall Mr Brett has often stood alone in contending for liberty on this subject.

Mr Henry Brett, of Auckland, nephew of Mr T B Brett, is the proprietor of several newspapers, and has a very large printing establishment.  Mr Rowland Brett (son of Mr T B Brett) manages Mr Henry Brett's London agency.  Mr Henry Brett was taught the printing trade by Mr T B Brett, and went out to New Zealand when the Colony was quite young.  There he has been very prosperous. Some years ago he re-visited St Leonards, and stayed for three or four months.

The late Mr Brett recently completed a volume on the subject of Anti-Vaccination, and intended to furnish another. He was also anxious to bring his Local History to a later date. He possessed a number of local prints which are unique, and had intended to publish a number of these as post cards.

In politics Mr Brett was formerly a Liberal, but in later years — since 1880 — he would be best described as an Independent. He was opposed to Home Rule.

The funeral is fixed for Monday next, at the Borough Cemetery. The cortege will leave Norman Road at two o'clock.

Working on his History, at the age of 86

In the 1851 census there were two daughters, Catherine, aged 3, and Amelia, aged 1.  Catherine died in 1854.  By the 1861 census, Amelia is aged 11 and working in her father’s shop.  There are two sons, Rowland, aged 8, and Arthur, 2.  By 1871 there are also Adolphus, aged 9, and Herbert, 6.  Arthur died in 1878.

The 1901 Census has two households at 66 Norman Road, St Leonards: that of Thomas B Brett. Head. Widower. Aged 84. Journalist and Local Historian Author. Born Hastings and his grandson,

Rowland W B Brett. Head. Married. Aged 24. Stationer. Born Islington, London and his wife - Helen Brett. Wife. Married. Aged 25. Born Hastings.