FLEET FAMILY TREE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2002:Information about Thomas Peter Allen

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Thomas Peter Allen (b. Abt. 1854, d. 22 October 1925)

Thomas Peter Allen (son of John Allen and Elizabeth Allan Sinclair) was born Abt. 1854 in UPPER WAKEFIELD,AUBURN,STH AUSTRALIA., and died 22 October 1925 in PARLIMENT HOUSE,ADELAIDE,S.A.. He married Helen Henderson on 14 April 1880 in RES OF THOMAS HENDERSON,COCOANUT,STH AUSTRALIA..

Notes for Thomas Peter Allen:
SUDDEN DEATH AT PARLIMENT HOUSE.

Mr. Peter Allen, who, with one break of three years,had represented Wallaroo or the smaller district of Yorke Peninsula since 1902, died suddenly on Thursday afternoon. He really passed away at the post of duty, as he had been in the Chamber all the afternoon and on descending the marble steps upon the adjournment of the House, at 5 o'clock he staggered and fell heavily on the back of his head. As he descended the steps he was chatting with a representative of " The Advertiser " and remarked jocularly, "W e are having a lovely time, " in reply to the reporter's observation that the House had risen earlier than usual that day.
Mr. Allen was unconcious, and he was carried into Parliment House, whence he was removed in the ambulance to the Adelaide Hospital. There Dr. Lamphee pronounced life to be extinct. The body was removed to the hospital morgue. The doctor considered that the symptoms pointed to death being due to Heart Failure.

Mr. Allen, who possessed a jovial dispostion, frequently amused members of the House with his humorous sallies, and like a true humorist, never smiled at his own jokes. He was popular with his colleagues, and for the past eight years had been the Liberal Party Whip, having succeeded Mr. J. G. Moseley in that position.He was born at Auburn about 70 years ago, and as a young man became associated with pastorial and agricultural pursuits. In 1880 he left Auburn and acquired land on Green's Plains, where he continued farming until the claims of his Parliamentary duties caused him to relinquish it.He with other pioneer farmers in that district, converted dense mallee scrub into good agricultural land. For many years he was a member of the Green's Plains District Council, and afterwards he rendered fine services as a member of the Kadina District Council. For several years he occupied a seat on the old Western Land Board, and after his election to the House of Assembly in 1902 he was a member of several Royal Commissions appointed to report on questions pertaining to agricultural affairs and the opening up of new areas for the settlement of people. Mr. Allen first entered the House of Assembly in 1902 for the district of Wallaroo. Three years later at the general elections, he was re-elected,and in 1906, when he had again to face his constituents on account of the dissolution consequent upon the franchise crisis, the electors again showed their confidence in him. In 1910 he was again sucessful in his candidature, and in 1911 he was the recipient of a motor-cycle to take the place of the push-cycle on which he had travelled up and down the peninsula for several years in the interest of his constituents.He lost his seat at the elections in 1912, but in 1915, after Yorke Penisula had been separated from the Moonta and Wallaroo portion of the district, he was returned for the former district, which he had since represented with entire satisfaction to his constituents. For a long period he was the Green's Plains correspondent of the " Advertiser," and in that capacity, by his humorous descriptions of life in the country, he made his home town known all over Australia and in other parts of the world.For some years he had resided at "Inverurie," Charles Street; Norwood, Mr. Allen married Miss Helen Henderson, of Salisbury who died some years ago, and he leaves two daughters : Mrs. Edgar Day, of Moonta, and Miss Mabel Allen, of Norwood.
TRIBUTES OF SYMPATHY.

The Premier (Hon J. Gunn) stated last night :- " A few minutes before his fatal fall on the steps at Parliment House Mr. Allen made his last speech. It is indeed hard to realise that his voice will not be heard again. It can truly be said that all members were his friends. His humor enlivened many an otherwise dull debate. There was a long record of useful Parlimentary service to his credit and he was ever ready to lend a helping hand.The loss of such a genial and kindly personality will be deeply felt by all his fellow - Parlimentarians. On behalf of the government, I extend to his family deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly ( Mr. J. M. McInnes) stated last night :- " The suddenness of the death of Mr. Allen is a great shock to all members of Parliment,as it must be to his many friends. Mr.Allen was one of those grand characters who had the happy knack of endearing himself to those with whom he was associated. Always cheerful and having a great fund of humor, he often turned a heated debate into a pleasant disscusion.. The State has lost a worthy citizen, members of Parliment have lost a good friend, and Yorke Peninsula has lost a very efficient representative. On behalf of all members of the Assembly I extend to his family and relatives our most sincere sympathy.

" The tragically sudden death of Mr. Allen is very sad, and has come as a great shock to me." remarked the leader of the Opposition ( Sir Henry Barwell) on Thursday evening, "as it will come to other members of Parliment and a wide circle of friends through-out the State. Only a quarter of an hour before his death he was speaking in the Assembly on the Motor Taxation Bill, and he appeared in his usual health. Mr. Allen, who was a splendid district representative, had, with the exception of the Hon. F.W.Coneybeer, a longer record of service than any other member in the Assembly. He was of a kindly and genial disposition,and was extremely popular wherever he was known. Much sympathy will be felt for his relatives.

REMINISCENCES OF MR. PETER. ALLEN.

A pathetic incident is related in connection with the death of the genial Mr. Peter Allen, M. P. on Thursday ( the day of his death) Mr. Allen, with other members of Parliment, sat for his photograph. He jocularly remarked to the photographer that he was sorry they had met in such painful circumstances. Many stories are told of the ready wit of Mr. Allen, who was always prepared with a leaven of humor with which to sweeten acrimonious disscusion. He was told of the story of Sir Charles Todd who, when Government Meterologist, heard of a weather prophet in the country who had achieved a reputation. Sir Charles visited the man with-out disclosing his identity and asked how he was so successful.Sir Charles was dumd-founded when the reply was that the rural weather seer won his reputation by prophesying exactly the opposite to "that fellow Todd." This story reminded Mr. Allen of an experience he had on an election tour in the country. The weather was very dry and a drought was threatened. A farmer at the meeting he was addressing interjected ; " We don't want any politics. Tell us when it will rain! " Mr. Allen replied with confidence ; " You will get rain tonight !" There was then no sign of rain, but before morning an inch and a half had fallen and Mr. Allen's reputation as a weather prophet was established for the rest of his life.

OBITUARY.

ALLEN :- On the 22nd October (suddenly), Peter Allen. M.P. of Charles Street Norwood. Dearly loved husband of the late Helen Allen, and loved father of Nell and Mabel.

More About Thomas Peter Allen:
Time at Birth: 22 October 1925, BURIED AT GREEN PLAINS CEMETERY..

More About Thomas Peter Allen and Helen Henderson:
Marriage: 14 April 1880, RES OF THOMAS HENDERSON,COCOANUT,STH AUSTRALIA..

Children of Thomas Peter Allen and Helen Henderson are:

+Nellie Allen, b. 26 February 1881, GREENS PLAINS WEST, STH AUSTRALIA..
Mabel Allen, b. 07 May 1884, GREENS PLAINS WEST(PASKEVILLE),STH AUSTRALIA..

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