Obituaries Australia

Hundreds of people in Adelaide and the State generally will be shocked to hear of the death at Bimbowrie Station on Wednesday afternoon of Mr. Edwin Crozier in extremely sad circumstances. Last Saturday afternoon the bookkeeper on the station had driven one of the servants who was ill into Olary on the Broken Hill line. As the bookkeeper did not return in time, and as it was feared he might have lost his way, Mr. Crozier, who had not ridden much since he had a serious operation a few years ago, had a horse saddled, and himself rode into Olary and back— a distance of 40 miles. Mr. Crozier, who was dead tired when he returned, could not sleep when he retired, and, leaving his bed, went into the sitting room, and, lighting a candle, sat in a big leather armchair and began to read. Mr. Crozier must have dropped off to sleep and the candle fallen on him between the arm of the chair and his body. He was wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown, and it is surmised that the chair and his clothes were burning for half an hour before he woke. When he did awake he tried to tear his nightshirt off, but it was fastened at the wrists, and it burnt off. Mr. Crozier suffered excrutiating burns, and he did not get much relief until Dr. J. A. G. Hamilton arrived on Monday evening. Everything that could he done was then done to alleviate the suffering, and at one time Dr. Hamilton had hopes of his patient recovering; but the burning and the shock were too great, and Mr. Crozier died on Wednesday afternoon.

The deceased, who was 47 years of age, was the sixth son of the late Hon. John Crozier. He was born at Kulnine where Mr. Arthur Crozier now is. He was educated at Mr. Fred Caterer's school at Glenelg, and soon after leaving that institution he entered the Bank of Adelaide. Following on that he became bookkeeper to his brothers Walter and Elliot at Bimbowrie. Subsequently he was manager and partner with Mr. Elliot Crozier, and later had the station himself. Bimbowrie suffered reverses during the big drought; and so successfully did the deceased bring it through these trying times that pastoralists agree that the recovery was marvellous. The weights of wool from last year's clip had never before been equalled in the north-east. Mr. Crozier practically doubled the quantity of wool on each sheep. Many years ago Mr. Crozier was well known as a lightweight amateur rider, and also in the hunting field. He rode two winners — Banter and Smuggler — of Lockleys Cup, a purely amateur event, and hunted Vampire and Casterton. Mr. Crozier had a beautiful nature, and he was loved by all who knew him, and by none more than his own stationhands. One who knew the deceased well said:— 'Edwin Crozier was a kind-hearted gentleman. He did not mind how much he put himself out to do a good turn for any one. His ambition early in life was to study for the medical profession, and he would have made a capital doctor. As it was, he was invaluable in first-aid cases on the station. He was well informed, had a splendid memory, was a most entertaining conversationalist, and into the bargain was a clever artist with pen and pencil. He was thorough in everything he did. The deceased married a daughter of Mr. Henry Trew, and the widow and one little son, to whom the father was devoted, are left. Mr. William Crozier, a brother, died recently. The surviving brothers are Messrs. John, Elliot, Arthur, Walter, and George Crozier. There is one sister, Mrs Richardson. The remains of the deceased will be conveyed to Adelaide by the Broken Hill express this morning, and the funeral will leave the residence of a brother-in-law, Mr. Julian Avers, Strangways Terrace, at 2.30 p.m.