Obituaries Australia

The death is announced of Mr. Robert Ferguson, surveyor to the Meat and Dairy Board, says the Brisbane Courier of the 15th instant. Mr. Ferguson had a long official life. He came to Queensland in the first instance to join the firm of John Petrie and Sons. Afterwards he was engaged on the construction of roads in the Wide Bay district, and for many years was connected with the construction of light houses in conjunction with Captain G. P. Heath. His first appointment to the service was made in October, 1864. He was engaged in the building construction branch of the Department of Public Instruction, where he planned many of the present state schools. He then left the service and again joined the firm of Petrie and Sons, and supervised the construction of many buildings, including the Custom House. Just twelve years ago he rejoined the service as surveyor to the Meat and Dairy Board, and superintended the construction of the Bowen, St. Lawrence, Gladstone, and Charleville meat works, Messrs Birt and Co.'s cold stores, additions to the works of the Queensland Meat Export Company at Eagle Farm and Ross River, and many of the butter factories constructed from funds under the Board's control. He was regarded as one of the best authorities in Australia on refrigerating machinery and in all forms of building construction. A notable work of his inter years was the laying of the foundations of Messrs. Birt and Co.'s works at South Brisbane. Mr. Ferguson was of an unassuming nature, but was exceedingly well liked by the officers of the department with which he was connected. He had been ill for some weeks, and became an inmate of one of the hospitals a week ago. He has left a widow, but no children. Mrs. Ferguson was sister to the late Mr. John Petrie. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon and was attended by many officers of the public service and others.