Obituaries Australia

"Superflous lags the veteran on the scene" is a quotation that has been applied to some public characters who have persisted in remaining in the arena of public life after they have outlived all sympathy with the life of the day, and exhausted whatever capacity they might have possessed at one time for rendering useful public service. But such was not the case with Mr. John Carruthers, whose demise on the 25th ultimo we chronicled in a recent issue. During a period of thirty years— that is, from 1845 to 1875, Mr. Carruthers was more or less intimately connected with public affairs, in which he took an intellgent and patriotic interest; but from the latter year he practically retired into private life, simply keeping his eye on events as they were rapidly evolved, and passing upon them his own characteristic comments to the circle of his more immediate friends. But he did useful service for his adopted country while strength and opportunity were his, and it is appropriate that a humble cairn should be raised in these columns to mark the close of a long and well-spent life. The late John Carruthers was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1809. In 1832 he emigrated to Australia, and settled in Sydney. From then to the close of his life, he never travelled beyond the colony of New South Wales. A few years subsequently he married, and was blessed with a family of six sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and one daughter survive him. Following for many years the trade of a painter, he established a good connection in that business, and numbered several of the leading property holders in Sydney among his clients. Subsequently, he received the appointment of clerk of the George-street markets, and filled that position to the entire satisfaction of the City Council, and also to that of the stallholders and fruitgrowers, as was shown by the presentation to him of valuable tokens of appreciation on his retiring from the position. About the year 1856 he removed to this district, returning again to Sydney a few years later; but from that time to his death he continued to be a property-holder in this electorate, and for five or six years recently resided with his daughter, Mrs. James Wood, at Glenburn, Jamberoo. Mr. Carruthers was essentially a public spirited man. It was at all times interesting to listen to his stories of the olden time, and of the struggles of the people for the political rights and privileges the colony now enjoys. In the anti-transportation agitation, he took a particularly active part, being one of the earliest to move in that matter. For his services in this particular, he was elected an honorary member for life of the Anti-Transportation League, and a well-deserved meed of praise was paid to him in the Legislative Assembly by Mr. John Garrett in 1864. He was also one of the foremost members of the Land League, to the labours of which the liberal land legislation of 1861 was largely owing. In those days Mr. Carruthers was a prominent figure in electioneering contests, and was generally chosen to propose or second the nomination of one of the candidates for the city constituencies. He was always on the side of reform and progress; and the sincerity of his patriotism was shown in that he never sought a Government billet for himself or anyone belonging to him. He preferred to act upon the homely and honest principles of self-reliance and integrity, and sought in this respect to imbue his family with his own spirit. He was also a well-read man. Possessed of a retentive memory, he could at any time lay the stores of information he possessed under contribution. Hence he could converse intelligently on almost any subject; and no one could spend an hour in his company without deriving both entertainment and instruction from the interview. Mr. Carruthers was also interested in the movement which culminated in the establishment of the Kiama Independent. For several years he contributed occasionally, under various nom de plumes to our columns, and to the last took a lively interest in all the progressive movements of the district. His end was very peaceful. On May 25th, in the 82nd year of his age, he quietly passed away, the cause of death being sheer decay of nature. A large and representative cortege followed his remains to the grave, amongst whom were several old comrades in public life, and many representatives of the younger life of the colony, in which the deceased's sons are now playing an important and useful part.