Obituaries Australia

The death occurred at her home, Raveloe, Domain rd, South Yarra, yesterday morning of Mrs. Harry Emmerton, for many years a leading figure in Victorian social life. Mrs. Emmerton was the daughter of Alexander Batson Balcombe, of The Briers, Mornington, and granddaughter of William Balcombe, of the East India Company, St Helena, who handed on to his granddaughter many mementoes of Napoleon I, who was a prisoner at the Island during Mr Balcombe's years of service there.

Mrs Emmerton was the widow of Mr Harry Emmerton, of Smith and Emmerton, solicitors, of Melbourne. During her husband's lifetime Mrs Emmerton was widely known as a leading hostess, and at her home were to be met all the distinguished visitors to Melbourne, as well as all those who had won distinction for this country in the arts, letters, and business.

Mrs Emmerton placed her home at the disposal of many charitable and philanthropic associations which interested her, and she was also patron of musical and art societies, for which she was generous in giving entertainments which helped to bring forward brilliant artists struggling to win recognition.

She attended in 1929-30 a conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations at Kyoto, Japan, and otherwise showed her sympathy with world politics. A member of the committee which directed the Army Nurses' Club in the last war, Mrs Emmerton was also an indefatigable worker for the Children's Hospital. She was awarded the CBE in 1927.

Mrs Emmerton's only daughter, Miss Mabel Emmerton, married Mr Norman (now Sir Norman) Brookes, and their eldest daughter. Lady Gengoult Smith, has been Mrs Emmerton's constant companion during her declining years. Their other 2 daughters are Mrs Bessemer Clark and Mrs John Langley.

The funeral will leave Mrs Emmerton's residence this morning for Melbourne Cemetery. A. A. Sleight Pty Ltd has charge of arrangements.