Obituaries Australia

Mr. Andrew Anderson, M.L.A. died early yesterday morning. The immediate cause of death was congestion of the lungs. The funeral took place this afternoon, and was largely attended, mourners being present from Stawell, Marnoo, Charlton, Stuart Mill, Gower, Conover and St. Arnaud. The remains were interred in the private cemetery at Tottington, within 500 yards of the deceased’s homestead. The Rev. K. Vance, Presbyterian minister, officiated at the grave, and the Masonic service was also conducted. Mr Anderson was 58 years of age.

Several names have been mentioned as candidates for the vacant seat in the Assembly. They are Messrs. McBride and Dunkley, both residents of St. Arnaud, and Mr James of Ballarat. Mr McBride’s candidature is regarded as a certainty.

Mr. A. Anderson represented Kara Kara in the Legislative Assembly from March 1893, till the day of his death. He did not take any prominent part in the debates in the Assembly, but when he did address the House it was usually upon some matter with which he had a practical acquaintance, such as the cultivation and settlement of the mallee, and his remarks were shrewd and pointed. On account of his knowledge of the arid districts of the colony Mr. Anderson was appointed, by the late Sir James Patterson, chairman of the Commission of Water Supply, and he devoted assiduous attention to the prosecution of the inquiry, which lasted for over two years. The report, which was presented last session, was a strong indictment of the Deakin irrigation schemes and the administration of that minister. Mr. Deakin warmly resented the charges made in the report. When the task of replying to him had to be undertaken, Mr Anderson was in feeble health, and Mr. Langdon took his place, Mr. Anderson following with a brief speech, which was his last in Parliament. About 18 months since Mr. Anderson met with an accident of a serious nature in the lift at Parliament House, and he has never been in good health since that time.