Obituaries Australia

In our obituary of to-day is announced the death of William Lane Esq. J.P., of Orton Park who as will be seen departed this life on Saturday last—exactly thirteen months and a day after the demise of the late Mrs. Lane. It appears that when attacked by the disease which terminated his existence, Mr Lane was on a visit, which he has been in the habit of paying periodically, to his relatives and friends in the neighbourhood of Orange, and that on the present occasion he manifested a rather unusual cheerfulness and vivacity. On Sunday he attended divine service, and it was when at prayers that he first felt himself unwell. From this period he gradually became worse, and Dr. Warren of Orange was called in, who pronounced his case one of rheumatic fever. By the mode of treatment adopted the disease was subdued, but the prostration of the system was too great to admit of reaction, and death put his seal upon sufferings which had been borne with Christian fortitude and resignation. The remains were conveyed from Orange to Orton Park, Queen Charlotte's Vale where they were interred on Wednesday last in the presence of a numerous and highly respectable circle of friends, including many of deceased's brother magistrates. Of Mr. Lane's colonial career we may say that it has been unchequered by extraordinary events or remarkable vicissitudes, and has been chiefly noticeable for the success and respectability which in a young and prosperous community like our own may be commanded by a course of industry and perseverance. He arrived in the colony in the year 1823, and formed a connection with the Messrs. Hassells whose establishment, at that period, was one of the largest on our side the mountains. Although wanting in colonial experience, this want was compensated by a sound judgment and wise discretion which characterises his conduct through life, and exercised a corresponding influence upon the welfare of the establishment. Subsequently he settled down as a sheep-farmer, and prospered, at the same time rearing a numerous family, now consisting of eleven children, for whom he has made comfortable provision, and to whom he imparted the best education the colony afforded. Nor was Mr. Lane insensible to the general prosperity of the district. Although of late years he has not taken any prominent position in political matters, he had by no means been a silent thinker in by-gone days. Possessed of moderate but well defined views upon public matters which were based upon strong common sense convictions, he has frequently taken an active part in their discussion, and was induced to offer himself as a candidate for the honor of representing the County of Bathurst at the first election under a representative constitution, but was unsuccessful. He was shortly afterwards appointed a magistrate of the territory, and in the discharge of his magisterial duties, was uniformly upright and conscientious whilst his kindly disposition naturally inclined him to the side of mercy. During his last sickness he was attended by the Rev. William Walker of Ralph's Plains, whose kind offices terminated only with death, and the committal of his remains to the tomb, upon which solemn occasion he delivered an address, impressively enjoining upon his hearers a religious course of life as a means towards a blessed future. Of the deceased we can only further remark that he has conferred a boon of no small magnitude upon our district in the rearing and establishment of a virtuous and respectable family, and in the consequent addition of so many valuable members to our community. Requiescat in pace.