Obituaries Australia

The late William Kenny Gibbons, who recently passed away at Peakhurst, was well known in the Parramatta district. Born at Agnes Banks, near Richmond, he left with his father and mother for England and was partly educated. there. Their visit was at the time of the Crimean veterans, returning home. In leaving for Australia again, passage was taken in the ill-fated Dunbar, and, through the youngest of the family being born at the time, the passage was cancelled. He took a keen interest in public schools in the early days, and it was through his efforts that the public school at Yarramundi was built; and he was a member of the School Board till he left the district. He was made a JP at the early age of 26, and sat regularly on the Bench at Penrith. where E. King Cox was chairman of the Bench. He was also a great enthusiast in agricultural matters, and was one of those who helped to form the Hawkesbury Agricultural Society, where he frequently judged in farm produce and pigs. He also judged for many years in the pig section at the Royal Agricultural Show, and was considered one of the best judges in that section in New South Wales. He was also a member of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society, which he held for some 36 years up to the time of his death. He was also a regular visitor to the Nepean District show, where he frequently judged farm produce etc. He also visited Bathurst and Moss Vale shows, and judged there on different occasions. He was a member of the old Parramatta Alfred cricket team, and was an enthusiast in sports generally. The Gibbons family originally came from Stanwell, Kent; and at present the title is held by Sir Alexander Gibbons, Bart. Mrs. Gibbons, who survives her husband, is living with her daughter, Mrs Henderson, of Harris Park, at present. The family include Mrs. Cox, wife of Senator Cox; Mr. Chas. Gibbons, of Resch'sbrewery; Mr. George Gibbons. of Parramatta; Mr. A.D. Gibbons, manager, Gibbons' Estate, Redfern, Messrs. Frank and Septimus Gibbons and Mrs Jones, of North Sydney; and Mrs. Ellis, of Edgecliffe.