Obituaries Australia

Mr Anthony Best, a well known colonist, aged 77 years, met his death on Saturday afternoon in a very distressing manner. The old gentleman called at the office of this paper, and purchased the Observer of that day, in his usual health and spirits. He went to Mrs Allen's, at the 'Southern Cross Hotel,' in King William-street, called for a glass of ale, and kindly expressed his sympathy for Mrs Allen's recent bereavement, adding, 'He was a good fellow. It's wonderful how these things are ordered. Here's a wicked old sinner like myself, alive and hearty.' In two minutes after the speaker was in eternity. He went outside to mount his steeplechaser 'Bachelor,' by means of a stool, rendered necessary from his corpulence. As Mr Best gained the saddle the stool knocked against his horse's legs, causing it to rear, and the poor old man, having no command of the reins, fell heavily on his head, and broke his neck in the fall, of course dying instantly. The body was carried into the 'Southern Cross,' where several medical gentlemen were in attendance to render any assistance in their power. Deceased having lately built an hotel on the Brighton-road, with the intention of occupying it himself, had advertised his farm for sale by auction to-day (but the notice of which has since been withdrawn). The Bench Magistrates, however, refused to licence it, on Wednesday last, and in doing so commented severely on his immorality in living in adultery with his housekeeper, by whom he admitted he had five children, his own wife being separated from him, although residing in the colony. The facts appeared in the very newspaper the unhappy man had just purchased, but was not permitted to read.