Obituaries Australia

One of the earliest colonists of the State—Mr. John Bateman—passed away at Fremantle on Tuesday, in his eighty-fifth year. Last Sunday week his condition was such as to cause his relatives alarm, and his medical adviser (Dr. Blaxland) was called in. He gradually sank, however, until the end was reached on Tuesday. The late Mr. Bateman was one of the founders of the well-known commercial and shipping firm of J. and W. Bateman, which was established at Fremantle in the early sixties. At the outset the late Mr. Bateman, in partnership with his brother, the late Mr. Walter Bateman, engaged in shipping, especially in connection with the lightering and coastal trade, almost the whole of which was in their hands, until the advent of steamers. The brothers expanded their trade to such an extent that at length they had vessels engaged in carrying cargoes of timber, horses, sandalwood, etc., to China, the Straits Settlement, Java, and Mauritius, and bringing back to Fremantle sugar and other commodities suitable for the local market. As a result they soon found that from commencing as shipowners they had developed into extensive merchants and importers. For a long time they also carried on the whole of the coastal passenger traffic, the voyage from Fremantle to Geraldton often taking about ten days. The late Mr. John Bateman was an enthusiastic whale fisher, and on returning from one of his cruises his vessel, the Star, a fore-and-aft schooner, was wrecked in Safety Bay. In 1872 Mr. John Bateman bought out his brother's interest in the firm, and in 1890 he sold out to his son, the late Mr. John Wesley, Bateman, and retired from business.