Obituaries Australia

William Davies, one of the representative miners of this district, passed over to the great majority yesterday. Nobody had done more to promote the cause of labor in the Northumberland district than "Old Willie," as he was familiarly called. For many years he occupied the proud position of President of the Miners' Association, and during his term of office, when the long strike of 1859 took place, he exercised a deal of discretion and judgment. Mr. Davies was a member of the Royal Commission on Collieries, and for a number of years he had been working at the Newcastle Coal Co's. pit, in the capacity of miners' checkweighman, and he always gave the greatest satisfaction, both to employers and employees, whilst occupying that onerous position. He leaves four children, three daughters and one son, his eldest son having died a few months ago. Mr. Davies' last wish was that Mr. Fletcher, M.P., should be informed of his state of health, and, as soon as the news was conveyed to Mr. Fletcher, that gentleman immediately sent a letter of sympathy.