Obituaries Australia

The Bacchus Marsh Express records the death of Mr. Peter Inglis, of Ingliston, one of the pioneers of the colony, aged seventy three, and pays the following tribute to his memory:— "In later years he had entirely withdrawn himself from all active pursuits, and spent the evening of his days in adorning his fine estate; in dispensing a munificent hospitality, and an extensive, though by no means indiscriminate, benevolence and charity. It is impossible to convey to a stranger an adequate idea of the real kindliness of heart of the fine old gentleman who has just passed from among us. In former days, when neither medical skill nor the druggist's shop were so accessible as now, his well-stored medicine-chest was ever open to all, and it was with no feigned interest resting on his benevolent countenance that he listened to any tale of sickness of wife or child told by shepherd or hutkeeper, and at once brought to bear upon its alleviation the ample resources of the home station. But his benevolence was never confined to the limits of his own 'run.' He had a hand 'open as day to melting charity.' 'When the ear heard him, then it blessed him; and when the eye saw him, it gave witness to him; because he delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, and he made the widow's heart to sing for joy.' His conduct, likewise, to his numerous tenantry was always characterised by generosity. As an instance, we may only mention his very liberal treatment of them when the agricultural interests of the colony were overwhelmed by the visitation of the rust. Though taking a lively interest in public affairs to the last, Mr. Inglis never publicly identified himself with politics. Always leaning to the Constitutional side very decidedly, he nevertheless counted among his friends, and constantly entertained as his guests, many of all shades of political belief."