Obituaries Australia

It is our painful task to record the sudden death of Mr Thomas Hogg, principal of the Collegiate Institute, which occurred at his residence, Trevallyn, shortly before midnight Sunday, the cause being heart disease. Mr Hogg was in his usual health, and good spirits at a quarter to 11 o'clock, when, after partaking of supper, he retired to bed. Some time afterwards Mrs Hogg noticed that his breathing was very laboured, and, becoming alarmed, sent off her eldest, son for Dr. Thompson, who lost no time in accompanying the messenger to Trevallyn, where he arrived shortly after midnight. He found Mr Hogg had apparently been dead for about half an hour, having passed silently away from an attack of heart disease, a malady with which his medical adviser and a few intimate friends knew that he was affected.

Mr Thos. Hogg was born in Hobart, and was one of a family of 11 children. His father died when he was young, but by the care of a good mother and the devotion of the eldest son, all were enabled to make creditable start in life. Mr Thomas Hogg when only 19 took a position on the teaching staff of the High School under the then rector, the Rev. R. D. Poulett Harris. He proved to have not only a gift for teaching, but to be a good disciplinarian, and being, a resident tutor was given the full charge of the boarders by the rector, whose esteem and confidence he won and the friendship then commenced has never been interrupted. From Hobart Mr Hogg came to Evandale, where he married a daughter of Dr. Huxtable, and about seventeen years ago, he removed to Launceston, and opened the Collegiate Institute, which has gained the reputation of turning out lads well grounded for entrance into business or commercial life. Though a prominent cricketer himself, and a warm supporter of all manly sports, he set his face against his scholars paying top great attention to athletics to the detriment of their studies. Before leaving Hobart Mr. Hogg had taken a leading position as a cricketer, and upon removal to Launceston he joined the Launceston Club, in which for many years he was a leading spirit, his forte being bowling. After he retired from the cricket field he took to pedestrian exercise, and delighted in the vacations to make long tours through the country and coast districts if he could secure a good "walking companion." He was esteemed as well as respected by all who knew him for his genial and sympathetic nature and firmness of character, while in public as private life he was ever found honourable and upright. He took a deep interest in Freemasonry, which he entered in the Lodge of Hope on May 22, 1877, being elected to the position of Wor. Master in 1882. He threw himself earnestly into the movement for the formation of a Grand Lodge of Tasmania, and was elected chairman of the Masonic Union formed in February, 1888, to further that movement, and in March, 1890, chairman' of the Masonic Convention, which successfully achieved the aim on June 26 last; when Brother Hogg presided until the installation by Lord Carrington of his old friend, the Rev R. T. Poulett Harris, as the first Grand Master of Tasmania. As a token of the appreciation entertained of his services1 in this matter the 'honorary rank of Past Grand Deputy Master was conferred upon him, he being also invested as Assistant Grand Secretary.

The only member of Mr Hogg's family resident in the North is a younger brother, the Rev. Wm. Hogg, incumbent of the parish of Mersey, who is resident, at Latrobe. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and a large family, for whom widespread sympathy, will be felt in their sad bereavement.

The funeral of the late Mr Thomas. Hogg, which took place Wednesday afternoon, was very largely attended, a feature, being the large number of boys, scholars, not only of the Collegiste Institute, of which the deceased gentleman was Principal, but also of the Launceston Church Grammar School and Launceston High School. The chief mourners were two sons of the deceased, his brothers. Mr James and, the Rev. Wm. Hogg, two sons of the latter, Dr. W. B. Stewart, and Mr W. W. Smithies. The pall bearers selected were all members of the Masonic fraternity, viz., P.M.'s Bros. P. Barrett, W., Stroud, W. Barnes, Dr. E. O. Giblin, J. H. Boom, W. Home, R. S. Scott, and his Worship the Mayor, Bro. S. J. Button. The members of the Masonic Lodges walked in front of the hearse, opening out at Trinity Church, to permit the remainder of the cortege to pass through, and entering the cemetery first to circle the grave and prevent the mourners from being, annoyed by the indecent obtrusiveness of those attracted by mere curiosity. The funeral cortege proceeded from Trevallyn to Trinity, Church, where, a short funeral service, was conducted by the Ven. Arch. deacon Hales, assisted by the Rev. C. H. Young, and the service at the grave was performed by the Archdeacon. Amongst, the wreaths with which the coffin was covered were two Masonic devices, and after the last sad rites, were closed, the coffin was strewn with the sprigs of acacia, carried by those who mourned the loss of a true and faithful worker in the mystic fraternity. We understand that satisfactory arrangements, will probably be made for carrying on the Collegiate Institute in the interests of the widow.