Obituaries Australia

Of the few remaining colonists who were associated with the real difficulties that had to be met in the settlement of Western Australia, death has, within the last few days, removed one of the most worthy from our midst. Mr. Edward Hamersley came out from England about the year 1836 — a period of great distress amongst the settlers, and which well-nigh extinguished all hope, even among the most sanguine, that the little colony would survive the crisis. Yet Mr. Hamersley had faith in the colony, and with a considerable fortune, and an ambition that was always worthy of him, he permanently settled here, and ultimately became one of our most influential colonists. He largely invested in land, and the estates, which now pass into the hands of his family, are some of the most extensive and valuable in the colony; and he was one of the principal proprietors of the Western Australian Bank. The deceased was a member of the Legislative Council under the old nominee Government, retaining his seat up to the change in the Constitution, in 1870. About this time Mr. Hamersley almost entirely ceased to take an active part in public matters, and soon afterwards quitted his estate of Pyrton, on the Swan, and came to reside in Perth. He was one of the principal importers of blood stock; and to his energy and perseverance must be attributed the establishment and success of stock breeding in many of the outlying districts. Mr. Hamersley's reputation and real worth as a colonist may be fittingly compared with that of his brother-in-law, Mr. William Locke Brockman, for, like him, he spared no expense in advancing the pastoral and agricultural interests, and in promoting the general welfare and happiness of his fellowmen. The funeral took place on Saturday morning, and was attended by most of the principal citizens.