Obituaries Australia

The death occured at 6.30 p.m yesterday of Mr Wm. F. Coltman, well-known as the proprietor of the timber yards in Doveton street.

Deceased who was one of the best known personalities in Ballarat, was a son of Mr Wm. Coltman and was born in Ballarat in I868, beting thus  about 53 years of age. He was educated at the State schools and graduated from the late Mr W. H. Nicholl’s matriculation class. He was indentured to the carpentering and contracting business under the late Mr Jas. Buley, and rising rapidly in his trade became foreman. In 1902 he established the present business, and by dint of application and assiduity built up a very thriving industry which extended practically all over the State. The extensive range of business necessitated much travelling and it was during one of these iourneyings that Mr. Coltman is believed to have contracted the illness which proved fatal.

Mr.  Coltman was a very prominent member of the South Street Society, and was one of those mainly concerned in the building of the Coliseum. For years, he acted as treasurer to the Society, and was keenly interested in the calisthenic and physical culture sections of the work, and throughout a long and active career was always insistent on keeping South Street to the fore. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and at the time of his death was the W.M. of the Mark Masons, and a Past Master of the Prince of Wales Lodge. He was very well known in country Masonic circles and a welcome visitor at all the lodges which he visited in his travels. He was closely connected with the Lydiard street Methodist Church, being a founder and ex-president of the Y.M. Club, and founder and first president of the Lydiaid street Institutc. In public matters he took a keen interest. Being usually in the van of any movement having for its motive the advancement of Ballarat. He was closely associated with the "Forward Ballarat" and Back to Ballarat movements. and was active in promoting railway extensions, such us the Hopetoun-Mildurn, Portland-Mount Gambier, and other line. He collected and presented a great deal of valuable information on these lines. Indeed, there, were few movements of a public nature with which he was not connected. During the war period he did active work with the recruiting committee. He was also connected with the old Liedertafel, the Lyric Orchestra and other musical associations.

Mr. Coltman leaves a widow and a family of three sons, Messrs Lawrence, Owen and Jack Coltman, and one daughter, Miss Gwenda Coltman.

The funeral will take place tomorrow (Sunday), at the New Cemetery at 2 p.m.