Obituaries Australia

We regret to announce the death of Mr. George Thomas Pickering, the well-known cricket player, who expired at Sandridge on Wednesday, aged 26, from the effects of an accident while bathing; he having leaped into the sea in shallow water, when his head came in contact with the sand, causing a partial dislocation of the vertebral column, in the lumbar region. An inquest was held on the body yesterday, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. Every attention had been paid by two female attendants, and several medical gentlemen had adopted the most skilful means to save his life, but in vain—the body having been completely paralysed since the accident. Mr. Pickering was a native of Sydney, and for six years he was in the employ of Messrs. W. P. White and Co., as import clerk, and was highly respected. As a cricketer, he had commanded universal esteem, as an unassuming kind-hearted man, and an excellent player. His loss will be severely felt by the St. Kilda and Melbourne Cricket Clubs, and by the cricketing community generally. The unfortunate young man lost his wife in January last, and a few months ago visited Sydney for the purpose of following the mortal remains of his father to their last resting-place. We understand that in January next Mr. Pickering would have come into possession of about £10,000 worth of property, which will now revert to his two married sisters. As the funeral will take place this day, it is intended that all cricket matches shall be postponed, in order that his cricketing friends may have an opportunity of testifying their respect for the departed. The procession will pass over Prince's Bridge to the New Cemetery at 3 o'clock this afternoon.