Obituaries Australia

The Sydney Labor Council last week passed a vote of condolencc to the widow of the late Mr. E. Harrison Hurley, secretary of New South Wales Typographical Association, who died suddenly on a tramcar in Sydney on Wednesday, November 13. Mr. Spicer, delegate from the association, in moving the resolution, said that he had known deceased for 35 years, and intimately for 20 years. The late secretary was a most valuable member of the association, and no man had done more for trade unionism. In every way honest and straightforward, he had been deservedly respected and esteemed. The association had had good secretaries, among them being Mr. G. M. Prendergast, now leader of the Victorian Labor Party, but Mr. Hurley had been the equal of any of his predecessors, and would be hard to replace. There was something of a grim coincidence in connection with his death. The Typographical Association had been trying for about four years to get into the Arbitration Court, and succeeded on Monday. On Wednesday deceased was on his way to keep an appointment with Mr. G. S. Beeby, solicitor, in connection with the arbitration proceedings, when death came suddenly on him.

Edward Harrison Hurley was a very well-known and highly respected Trade Union official, having held the position of secretary of the N.S.W. Typographical Association for the past 15 years, also secretary to the Printing Trades Council since its inception in 1896. The deceased served his apprenticeship at the 'Herald' office, continuing with the firm of John Fairfax and Sons as a frameholder on the 'Mail' and 'Herald ' for many years, and when in a reminiscent mood would relate incidents of the early days when the 'line hand ' reigned supreme, and the idea of King 'Lino' was pooh-poohed. Our late friend resigned from the 'Herald ' in order to try his fortune in business for himself. Afterwards he returned to Sydney and accepted a 'sit.' at the Government Printing Office. His admission to the N.S.W. Typographical Association dates from the 5th July, 1886. He represented the G.P.O. on the Board of Management, and very soon proved himself a Unionist of keen judgment. In due course he filled the position of board member, after which he was elected treasurer (Jan. 1887), and retained that office till 1893, since which time he held the position of secretary.

Expressions of sympathy with Mr. Hurley's family and with the Typographical Association have been received from many firms and organizations throughout the Commonwealth. The funeral took place on Thursday, Nov. 14, and moved from the deceased's late residence, 22 Lodge-street, Forest Lodge, at 2 o'clock, en route for Waverley Cemetery. Trade Union officials and friends of the deceased gentleman preceded the cortege, walking as far as the mortuary, and again meeting the funeral before reaching the cemetery. Amongst those present wore: —Chief mourners:- Mrs. E. H. Hurley (widow), Mr. and Mrs. C. Murphy (daughter), Messrs. F. and E. Hurley (sons), Miss Doris Hurley (daughter), Mrs. Ansul (sister), Mrs. Bouffier (sister-in-law), Messrs. H. S. Cave, Ald. Robey, F. A. Banks, S. Broomfield, A. Elphinstone, Miss Spence (friends). Trade Unions represented were: N.S.W. Typographical Association by Messrs. J. W. Ratcliffe (president), J. A. Semken (vice president), R. A. McFarland (treasurer), Robt. H. York (secretary, pro tem.), J. J. Powell (trustee), H. Henderson ('Worker'), L. Bulot, P. Brown, Smith, Coglan, McPherson, Ball ('Herald'), W. Middleton, E. Otter, Boyle, Taylor, S. E. Murray, Tweedale, T. W. Maroney ('Telegraph'), Gillespie ('Evening News'), McNaughton, Simmons ('Star'), A. Orr (S. E. Lees), Pinkstone (ex-secretary), T. J. McKenzie (W. E. Smith), J. Reynard (John Sands), Marshall (Turner and Henderson), G. Watkin (Penfold), J. J. McDonald ('Catholic Press'). Printing Trades Federation Council, James W. Spicer (president), Bookbinders; Thornton (secretary) and Bunting, Lithographers, J. Blackmore (president), W. Kay (secretary), W. Osborne (Letterpress. Machinists), J. W. Doyle. J. Durack (Tailors), A Vernon (United Laborers), W. Jones (Undertakers), J. Stone (Tobacco Workers), T. Furse (Slaughtermen), A. Johns (Sawmill Employees),, T. Thrower (ex-M.L.A.), P. Halliday (Bakers), G. Saunders (Milk and Ice Carters), D. Black (Electrical Trades), Ben Loyd (Butcher Shop Employees), E. W. Cutler (Furniture Trades), M. Connington (Trolly and Draymen), F. Doogan (Marble Workers). Trades Hall Association, J. E. West (president), G. Rutter (secretary), H. McEvoy. John M. Brooks (Master Printers' Association), Dadswell (Newspaper Proprietors' Association), J. F. Ellis (overseer, 'Herald'), Sydney Labor Council, F. Bryant (president), J. P. Cochran (secretary). Eight-Hour Committee, J. Travers (president), A. McDougall (secretary). E. Riley (Arbitration Court). Government Printing Office, A. Carrick, Cullen, Hollingworth, F. J. Bewley, (machine), R. Sibthorpe (litho.).

Wreaths were sent by members of the family, N.S.W. Typographical Association, Australasian Typographical Union, Printing Trades Federation Council, Letterpress Machinists' Association, his fellow secretaries, S.M.-Herald,' 'Australian Star,' 'Daily Telegraph,' 'Sunday Times,' Test Compositors Government Printing Office, Lithographers' Society and numerous sympathisers.