Obituaries Australia

The sudden death of Mr. William Arthur Callander A'Beckett occurred yesterday afternoon at the private hospital of Mrs. E. E. King, Redan-Street, St. Kilda. The deceased gentleman, who had been suffering for some time past of an internal trouble, and had been under the care of Mr. Weigall, M.B., went to Mrs. King's hospital in order to undergo an operation, which had become necessary in order to save his life. It was to have been performed yesterday, and at half-past 3 o'clock Sir Thomas Fitzgerald attended the hospital with Mr. Weigall, who was to assist him. The anaesthetic was administered by Dr. Anderson, and the patient lapsed into unconsciousness, which was followed almost immediately by a collapse, from which all efforts to restore animation were unavailing. The matter was reported to the police, and Constable Cooke forwarded a report to the city coroner, which will necessitate a postmortem examination. The deceased gentleman, who was 68 years of age, was the eldest son of the late Sir William A’Beckett, the first Chief Justice of Victoria. He was born at Kensington, and educated at King’s College, London, and later at Downing College, Cambridge. In 1868 he entered the Legislative Council of Victoria, and held office without portfolio in the Administration of Mr. Charles Gavan Duffy in 1871. In 1875 he represented the Berry Ministry in the Legislative Council, but held no portfolio. Mr. A’Beckett was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1875, but since that time he spent several years in retirement at Westbury in Wiltshire. He leaves a widow, two sons, and four daughters.