Obituaries Australia

On Sunday, the 9th inst., about dusk, when Mr. H. T. Johnson was returning to his farm at Korlonning on horseback, he was crossing Mr H. [Henry Hayward] Driver's property when he noticed the cultivator with two horses attached standing in the paddock. On proceeding to investigate he found Mr. Driver pinned under the machine face downwards, with two tynes penetrating his back and one penetrating the back of his head. He immediately released him and went to Mr Bent's farm for assistance.

Mr. George Bent returned with his truck and together they took the unfortunate man into Mukinbudin. He was in a very bad way and had been exposed for about 36 hours, and was suffering terribly from his wounds, having been severely bitten about the face by ants and flies,  The legs were knocked off a stretcher and Mr Driver was placed on it in a runabout and brought into the Merredin Hospital, which was reached by 4 o'clock on Monday morning. He was conscious the whole time and must have suffered severely from the ants and flies.

Dr. Caton-Shelmerdine was soon in attendance, and did all in his power to relieve the sufferer, who lingered until Saturday last, when he passed away.

It is not known definitely how the accident happened, but it is thought that deceased was standing on the carriage in front part of the machine owing to the reins being short, when it struck the gate, and throwing him forward, he struck the angle iron, afterwards slipping under the machine.

The deceased was a native of Seymour (Victoria) and come to this State 38 years ago. He was in business in Hines Hill for about 7 or 8 years, and during the past 10 years he has been following farming pursuits at Korlonning in the Mukinbudin district. He leaves a widow and grown up family of two daughters (Mrs A. E. Greenwood and Mrs R. McConnell) and three sons, John, Frank and and Mick, to mourn their loss.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of friends from Merredin, Hines Hill, Korlonning and Mukinbudin. A very impressive service was conducted at All Saints Church, before the remains were interred in the Anglican portion of the Merredin Cemetery.

The chief mourners were the widow (Mrs Mary Ann Driver), Mr. J. H. Driver and Mr A. H. (Mick) Driver (sons), Mrs A. Sketchely and Mrs W. Kell (sisters), Messrs Albert, Jack, Robert and Fred Driver (brothers), Mrs F. Driver (sister-in-law), Mr. H. Johnson (brother-in-law), and Mr. W. Kell (brother-in-law).

The pall-bearers were Messrs E. Hewitt, H. Seaby, J. O'Neill and Geo. Bent (Karlonning), C. N. Spargo, H. L. Spargo, J. Baker and J. H. Langfield (Merredin).

Wreaths were sent by the following: — Sorrowing wife, sons and daughters; Sister Annie and family; residents of Karlonning; Worshipful Master and Brethren Merredin Lodge No 98, W.A.C.; Lil and Harry; Jess and Bob; Mr and Mrs J. Hardie and family; Mr and Mrs J. H. Langfield and family; Mr D. S. Giles and family; Mr. and Mrs C. Campbell; Rev. Syd. Saggers; Mr and Mrs Cunningham; Girtie and Rupert; Fred, Lucy and Dulcy.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by J. W. Purslowe and Sons, funeral directors, Merredin.