Obituaries Australia

As briefly mentioned in our last issue, there passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning of last week, after a brief illness, Mr. Robert William Farlow, health and building inspector at Richmond, and one of the most widely known and liked citizens of that town. The sad event took place at the home of his daughter Mrs. Brazzale.

The news came as a sad shock to his host of friends throughout the Hawkesbury, for he had been carrying out his official duties, apparently in his usual health, on the previous Friday, and the majority were even unaware of the fact that he was seriously ill. The condolences which poured in on the family from all sides were evidence of the genuine respect in which the deceased had been held as an official, a citizen and a man.

The late Mr. Farlow, who was 7? years of age at the time of his death was born at Agnes Banks, and in his earlier years conducted a signwriting business at Richmond. Later he was in the service of the Richmond Council for a term as sanitary inspector and subsequently was attached to the staff of the Board of Health, in which position he remained for some 16 years. After leaving this post he acted for some years as an inspector for the Dairy Farmers' Milk Company.

Living in well-earned retirement in Richmond, deceased became aware of the difficulty being met by the Richmond Council in securing a part-time health and building inspector, owing to shortage of gentlemen of such training as a result of wartime conditions. It was characteristic of him that he did not hesitate, when appraised of the position, to offer his services, and accepted appointment until such time as council could make other arrangements.

In the twelve months since the appointment was made, the council and citizens had been well and faithfully served. There was none more conscientious in carrying out his duties (had he been less so his health might have been better in later months), yet he always remained ? truth a friend of the people. None who met him in an official capacity but had cause to respect him for his unfailing courtesy and helpfulness.

For many years deceased was secretary of Lodge Loyal Rose of the M.U.I.O.O.F. at Richmond, and for a term had the honor of becoming Cumberland District Grand Master. During his occupancy of that office incidentally, he had the pleasure of opening a new Lodge in the district, namely, at Wilberforce.

Widely read, a good speaker, an able writer, the late Mr. Farlow was a man of cultured tastes. The record of earlier Richmond which he wrote was generally regarded as an informative and authentic work. Deft with his hands, he numbered wood turning as one of his hobbies, and in fact had an active, eager mind which pursued many interests in his lifetime. At the same time he was never guilty of an affectation, and right to the last he remained to everyone that same gentle affable 'Bob' who will be so sadly missed from his accustomed places.

Predeceased by his wife, deceased is survived by three daughters, Emily (Mrs. Dunk), Lily (Mrs. Brazzale) and Muriel (Mrs. H. Stead), of Richmond, to whom general sympathy is extended in their loss of a devoted father.

The largely-attended and representative funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, when the interment was conducted in the Church of England cemetery, Richmond, the Rev. Ashcroft officiating.

The mortuary arrangements were conducted by Mr Chandler, of Windsor.