Obituaries Australia

We regret to have to record the death of Mr. James Alexander Antill, a prominent figure in the journalistic world of Kalgoorlie for many years. The deceased gentleman had reached the ripe old age of 86 years at the time of his death, which occurred in Sydney, New South Wales, on the 20th inst. He was a man of strong personality, and he maintained throughout his long life those vigorous powers of mind that enabled him to outdistance many a younger competitor, in the journalistic field. He had a varied experience in many parts of Australia. He was the fourth son of the late Major H. C. Antill, 73rd regiment (Black Watch), who arrived in Sydney as aide-de camp to Governor Macquarie in 1808, and who in this capacity was manager of all public buildings. He it was who planted a good many of the pine trees in the Sydney Botanic Gardens, and supervised the erection of the obelisk in Macquarie-street, from which all the roads in the Colony then started. The deceased was an officer in the Union Bank at Ballarat, at the time of the Eureka riots. On returning to Sydney he joined the Australian Joint Stock Bank, proceeding to Brisbane head office, and over half a century ago he opened the first bank at Gympie. He was afterwards appointed to the Armidale branch in New South Wales, of which he was manager for 21 years. He resigned in 1895 to come to West Australia., and a couple of years later joined the staff of the Kalgoorlie Miner. He returned to New South Wales about four years ago. Dr. Antill-Pockley, a grand-nephew, was the first Australian killed in the late war, losing his life at German New Guinea, on September 11, 1914. The late Mr. Antill passed away quite peacefully and suffered no pain, being ill only a fortnight. He has left a large family of sons and daughters. Three of his sons, Messrs. H. C., A. E., and L. C. Antill, respectively, were formerly residents of Kalgoorlie.