Obituaries Australia

Richard Chase, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 March 1922

Richard William Chase, who passed away at Llanillo, Moss Vale, N.S.W., on 6th February, in his seventy-eighth year, was for many years known throughout the State as one of the ablest and most energetic pastoralists of his time.

After gaining experience at Oxford Downs, Queensland, he managed Fort Cooper for some years for the late Mr. John Walker, but in 1880 returned to New South Wales and took over the management of Llanillo, Walgett, then owned by the late John Brown Watt and W. O. Gilchrist.

Llanillo, like most of the runs in that vicinity, had hitherto proved a costly proposition to its owners, but under Mr. Chase's able and economical supervision conditions improved to such an extent that with the return of better times the property paid handsomely.

Mr. Chase's feat of getting through the 1902-3 drought with 30,000 ewes was a remarkable achievement, the losses in the Walgett district during those years being abnormally heavy.

Mr. Chase remained at Llanillo until the close of 1910, when, owing to failing health, he retired from the management in favour of his son, Mr. Lyle Chase. To a man of his remarkable activity repose was a matter of impossibility, and he subsequently purchased a small property near Wingello. A few years later, however, ill health compelled him to take life more easily, and he then settled in Moss Vale, calling his new house Llanillo after the home he had loved so well.

Despite old age, a weak heart, and other infirmities, he remained a worker to the last, his garden and his poultry being now the objects of his unquenchable energy.

Mr. Chase was a fine sample of the type of strong, big-hearted men—God-fearing, energetic, courageous and industrious, who have made Australia the country it is. The interests of those he worked for were ever his own interests, and working hard himself, he expected good honest work from all whom he employed.

He leaves a widow, three daughters (Mrs. Nevill Garland, Mrs. G. M. Baker, and Miss E. M. Chase), and a son, Mr. Frank Chase, of Howlong, Carrathool.

Both his sons served in the A.I.F., the elder of the two, Mr. Lyle Chase, unfortunately losing his life in Palestine.