Obituaries Australia

It will be learned with sincere regret the death of Mr. George Frederick Cottee, of Lismore, yesterday.

The late Mr. Cottee, who was 71 years of age, was a native of Mauldron, Essex, England. Coming out to Australia in 1860 he resided with his uncle, Henry Cottee, at Ballarat (Vic.), and in that city received his education. Leaving school he was with Messrs. Cottee Brothers, proprietors of a large sawmill in the Bullarook Forest for nine years. This forest was at that time the largest hardwood one in Australia, and no fewer than 14 sawmills were busily employed. From that celebrated forest went timber for the Ballarat goldfields. On the Gympie goldfields, coming into existence the late Mr. Cottee thought he would like a change in the way of supplying timber for mining purposes on the northern gold field. After a stay there he returned to the immense Bullarook Forest. Subsequently he engaged with Mr. Ernest Carter and managed a sawmill at Wardell. That position he held for 19 years, when he retired and settled in Lismore. Later the late Mr. Cottee and the late Mr. James Sharpe took over the Lismore sawmill from Mr. J. E. Glasgow. About 12 years ago the business was disposed of to the late Mr. Alfred R. Knowles. As will be seen the late Mr. Cottee had been connected with the timber industry since boyhood. In the development of that great industry on the North Coast he played a prominent and appreciated part. In fact he was one of the best known timber men on the North Coast. He was looked upon as one of the best timber experts in the district. Since the selling of the Lismore sawmills to the late Mr. Knowles the late Mr. Cottee had lived quietly at his residence, Ballina-street.

The late Mr. Cottee comes of a distinguished lineage, being a descendant of William Penn, who founded the State of Pennsylvania, USA. The late Mr. Cottee had been a sufferer from heart attacks for a couple of years. Not feeling too well yesterday his medical adviser was summoned and advised him to remain a few days in bed. Mr. Cottee suddenly passed away about 1 pm. Death took place at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Brand, Ballina-street. Deceased was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Ballina. Besides a widow, the late Mr. Cottee leaves a grown-up family of five sons and three daughters. The sons are Messrs. Alfred (Nimbin), Frank (Bank of N.S.W., Lismore), Masson (for many years chief clerk with Messrs. McIntosh and Best, solicitors, but now of Sydney), Thomas (dentist, of Mosman), and Garnet (who recently returned from active service, but now of the Bank of N.S.W., Narrabri). The daughters are Mrs. Filmer (wife of Major Filmer, who saw service in France), Mrs. A. E. Brand, and Miss Meta Cottee, the popular violinist. A brother was the late Mr. W. A. Cottee, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Sydney, and one of the directors of the Bank of N.S.W. The funeral will take place this afternoon, His cortege leaving deceased's late resi dence, Ballina-street, for the Presbyterian portion of the general cemetery at 4 o'clock.