Obituaries Australia

Many expressions of profound regret were uttered on Saturday morning, when it became known that Mr Patrick Lord Johnston had died at his residence, "Annandale," Lytteltoa street, at the comparatively early age of 45 years. The deceased gentleman, who was chief clerk in the Taxes Office in this city, had been in falling health for the past 18 months, but no one expected that his end was so near. He attended at his office regularly, and was in his usual place on Wednesday last, when the office closed for the holidays. That night he was taken suddenly ill, and medical aid was called in, but the sufferer grew worse and expired at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning. His illness is believed to have been accentuated by the worry consequent upon his removal to Hobart, on account of the amalgamation of the taxes offices, and which was to have taken place in a few days, and the disposal of his property.

Mr. Johnston, who leaves a widow and three children, was the second son of the late Captain George Johnston, of the 99th Regiment, who while in Tasmania married Miss Lord, of Hobart, and afterwards left for Ireland. The deceased gentleman was born in Ireland, and received his education in England. About 20 years ago he came to Tasmania and settled in Launceston, receiving an appointment in the Taxes Office shortly after his arrival. Six years later he married Miss Edith Bell, daughter of the late Mr. W. T. Bell, of this city. Ever since his arrival in Tasmania he had been identified with Holy Trinity Church and for several years past had occupied the position of treasurer, warden and secretary. He worked extremely hard in business matters related to the new church, and he expressed the great pleasure he felt at the building being completed before he was due to take up his residence in Hobart. He was a prominent horticulturalist and breeder of pure-bred poultry, and for some years was secretary to the Launceston Horticultural Society. Mr Johnston was of a most genial disposition and he will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends.

The funeral of the deceased gentlemen took place yesterday afternoon and was very largely attended, his re mains being interred at the Church of England Cemetery. The pall-hearers were Messrs. T. W. Massey. M. H. A. and J. C. Macmichael (warden of Holy Trinity Church), F. Whitfield, F. R. Unsworth. W. Hunt and W. For dyce. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. E. G. Barry assisted by the Rev. C. A. Fawns, and the church choir sang a hymn.

Feeling references were made at both services at Holy Trinity yesterday to the death of Mr. Johnson by the pasttor (Rev. E. G. Barry), and hymns appropriate to such occasions were sung. In the morning Mr. Barry preached an eloquent and touching sermon from Psalm xxii., 15-"As for me I will be hold they face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." During his remarks Mr Barry paid a high tribute to the able work performed by the deceased churchman. At the close of each service the "Dead March" was played by the organist.