Obituaries Australia

Many friends throughout Queensland will regret to learn that Mr. Charles Joseph Booker, a well-known resident of the Wide Bay and Burnett district, and a former Parliamentary representative of the Maryborough and Wide Bay seats, died suddenly at Warra last night. He had proceeded to Warra from Graceville on Wednesday night, and during yesterday he visited his farming property, Logie, near the town. He returned to the hotel, and was having tea, when he complained of feeling unwell, and went to his room. His condition became worse, however, and he passed away at 10.10 p.m.

The late Mr. Booker was a native of the Wide Bay district, and a part of his scholastic career was passed at the Ipswich Grammar School. He entered Parliament in November, 1909, as the junior member for Maryborough. Mr. Charles Joseph Booker was largely and actively interested in important pastoral and commercial concerns in the Wide Bay district. He was, among other things, a director of Messrs. Walkers Ltd and also was largely concerned in the Wide Bay News. It was through his association with the pastoral industry that his name was so well known in Queensland, as well as in the other States. A prominent cattle raiser, and proprietor of Woolooga station, he was noted for his Woolooga strain of Shorthorn cattle, which ranks prominently among the best of the strain of Queensland cattle. The foundation of the family's pastoral prosperity was laid by his father, Mr. E. Booker, a native of Sydney, who as a young man, in 1859, settled in Maryborough and became associated with the meat industry of the Wide Bay district. In fact, in the history and development of the district the name of Booker has for many years been prominent, and is commemorated by one of the streets of the city. It is interesting to recall the fact that Mr. E. Booker, the pioneer of the family, engaged in athletics, particularly in rowing, and it is noteworthy that on one occasion, on the Mary River, in doubles with Mr. Bartley Fahey, who later on became a member of the Legislative Council, he won three sculling races, and, also with Mr. Fahey, on the same occasion, was a member of the winning crews in two four-oar sculling races. When the Redistribution of Seats Act operated, and Maryborough was made a single-seat electorate, Mr. Booker contested the Wide Bay seat, and was elected, and represented that constituency for some years. A forceful, and at times almost passionate, speaker, he was withal an able and logical debater, whose remarks always commanded close attention and respect, and whose pointed attacks were met with difficulty, and, indeed, often penetrated the political armour of his opponents. Of a kindly and retiring disposition, he was popular in a wide circle of friends.