Obituaries Australia

Mr. Horace de Lissa, the well-known Sydey barrister at law was killed yesterday in a riding accident. In company with Mr. and Mrs. Schregel, Messrs. Luffman, and Moore and two other friends, Mr. de Lissa was riding between Killara and Gordon on the North Shore. He had gone some distance ahead of the party — which was a habit he often followed — and he turned back and walked his horse towards the party. The next that was seen by the astonished party was the horse galloping riderless in the opposite direction. It was a white horse, and Mr. de Lissa's first trial of it. Mr. Schregel in describing the accident to an 'Evening News' reporter said:—

'We found Mr. de Lissa sitting by the side of the road, and I noticed the mark of a horse's hoof on his shirt–I asked him if he was hurt, and he said, 'I'll be all right in a minute.' He had gone a terrible color, though,' continued Mr. Schregel, 'and we tried to ease him, seeing that he was evidently in pain. Several motors passed us without pulling up or offering assistance, until, luckily, a doctor's car arrived, and the doctor asked if he rould do anything. As soon as he saw Horace he told me to get him to a hospital as soon as possible, as he was sinking fast. A Mr. Rich offered the use of his car, and conveyed Mr. de Lissa to the St. Leonard's Hospital. The doctor said that the horse had evidently thrown Mr. de Lissa, and then in making off had stepped on him, rupturing the liver. It must have been about 9 o'clock last night when he passed away, only an hour and a half after the accident.'

Mr. W. J. Curtis, B.A., barrister, of Philip street, a very old friend of the late Mr. de Lissa, was also very affected when referring to the accident. 'We have been associates in work and sport for a long time,' said Mr. Curtis. 'The whole thing has come as a terrible blow to me and as yet I can hardly realise it. Mr. de Lissa had everything before him. He had a brilliant university career, taking his B.A. at the Sydney University. He then engaged in teaching and coaching, studying all the time himself for the law, and was called to the Bar in November, 1901. Some time after his admission to the Bar he was appointed asssociate to the late Mr. Justice Cohen, with whom he remained for some years, until he decided to start on his own.

At the time of his death Mr. de Lissa had only just returned from the country, where he had been acting as Prosecutor at the Circuit Court.

"During the last ten years or more" continued Mr. Curtis. "Mr. de Lissa has been an ardent supporter of amateur theatricals, and himself played an active part in many amateur organisations, both as a performer, and more latterly as coach. He was well-known as an entertainer at club smoke concerts and kindred Masonic functions. Mr. de Lissa was chairman of the Wharf-storemen's Wages Board and had his last meeting on Friday night. His death will materially delay the proceedings of the Board."