Obituaries Australia

Mr. Benjamin Dean Cocker, a son of the late Mr. David Cocker, one of the pioneer settlers on the River Mersey, died at his birthplace, "Hawthorn," Spreyton, on Thursday night in his 74th year after a short illness. Educated at Launceston, he had an early training in the shipping business, his father having sawmills on the Mersey and a fleet of hlalf a dozen vessels trading to the mainland colonies.

The late Mr. Cocker, sen., subsequently resided in Launceston, where he had charge of the outside shipping business of the T.S.N. Co. (now Union Co.) and then opened on his own account as a shipping, forwarding and customs agent. On his retirement in 1890, the deceased, who had been connected with the shipping interests in Launceston since 1874, and Mr. J. F. Ockerby, who had had English experience in the same line, carried on the firm, as at present, being Cocker and Ockerby. A few years ago the deceased retired, and followed orcharding pursuits at his birthplace, "Hawthorn," Spreyton.

Mr. Cocker was of a most charitable disposition, and had endeared himself to a large circle. One of the founders of bowling in Launceston, he took a keen interest in the game, which was his chief recreation. He did not marry, and lived at the old home with his three sisters, Misses Annie, Bessie and Lucy Cocker. Miss Kitty Cocker, residing in Launceston, is another sister, as was the late Mrs. Sampson, wife of Senator B. Sampson. The brothers are Messrs. W. B. Cocker (Devonport), Joshua Cocker (Lower Barrington), and David Cocker (solicitor, Launceston). The funeral is to take place at the Don Cemetery this afternoon.