Obituaries Australia

On Saturday evening last, after a lengthened illness, at the house of Mr. Selwyn Smith, St. Kilda, died Mr. William Hamilton Hart, the head resident partner in the house of Messrs. Bright Brothers and Co. Mr. Hart had long occupied a distinguished position in commercial circles in Australia. A native of Madras, he was appointed, early in life, high sheriff of Madras, a position which he occupied for a considerable number of years. He then became a member of the firm of Binney and Co., of that city. In 1842 he became connected with these colonies as the inspector of the Bank of Australasia, at Sydney, a position which he held for ten years, during a trying period in the history of New South Wales, and more especially of the institution of which he was the practical head. Ten years ago he settled in Melbourne, as the first resident partner in the firm with which he died connected; and soon afterwards—in 1853—he had the honour of being selected by Sir Charles Hotham to form one of a Royal Commission appointed to investigate the financial history of the colony. Since then Mr. Hart's life has been one of active though unostentatious usefulness. He was in his fifty-sixth year. His funeral, which will be largely attended, takes place at eleven o'clock this forenoon.