Obituaries Australia

Among the music-loving public of Tasmania, and more especially that of the metropolis, no name was more familiar in years gone by than that of Camille Del Sarte. But it has now to be recorded on the toll of the departed; for at one o'clock yesterday morning the distinguished music-master, after a very short illness, breathed his last at his residence in Macquarie-street, bronchitis being the immediate cause of death. Camille Del Sarte was a native of Paris, but he arrived in this colony from the island of Java about 22 years ago. Soon after his arrival here he purchased what now forms the residence of the Venerable Archdeacon Davies, and for some years the deceased resided there. He had not been long in Hobart Town before his name as a practical and theoretical teacher of music became a household word in Tasmania; and so rapid was his early success in these branches of the divine art that in 1856 he had built for the purposes of his profession and at his own cost that substantial building in Harrington-street, now known as the Oddfellows' Hall, but which was originally known as Del Sarte's Rooms. The speculation was not, however, the success its enterprising proprietor had anticipated, and eventually he parted with the property. At the time of the volunteer movement, Mons. Del Sarte held the position of band-master in the Artillery corps, and within the last two years he was entrusted with the conductorship of the Hobart Town City Band. About the year 1869 the deceased left Hobart Town and took up his abode in Sydney, and there for a time he had an excellent practise. Unfortunately, however, he was induced to enter into mining speculations, and these turning out unremuncrative, Mons. Del Sarte lost a considerable sum of money. He remained in Sydney about seven years, and only returned to Hobart Town between two and three years ago. His long absence from the colony, however, had almost completely broken the connection which he had formerly made; and although his reputation as a master in his profession was as great as ever, he was not able to regain the high position which he had occupied before he left the colony. Deceased had long been subject to bronchitis; but the malady did not manifest itself in a serious form until Wednesday last, when Mons. Del Sarte was obliged to curtail his music lessons. He continued to get worse daily, and, as we have already said, his life was brought to a close at one o'clock yesterday morning. Monsieur Del Sarte was a married man, and we regret to say that he has left behind him a sorrowing widow and five young children. The deceased was about 60 years of age.