Obituaries Australia

George Lansell

Australasian (Melbourne), 24 March 1906, page 29

Mr. Lansell was born at Margate, Kent, on August 24, 1823, and in 1853, with another brother, William, George set sail for Australia. After spending a few weeks at Echunga, in South Australia, in unprofitable digging, he found his way to Hendigo, where he decided to take up soap and candle manu- facture. His business was in View-street, at a spot which became the rendezvous of the early sharebrokers. His speculative tendencies soon asserted themselves, and his resolution to let mining alone was abandoned. All his savings were invested in the leading enteiprises of the day. It must not be imagined that from this turning point in his career his road to fortune was easy. Such was by no means the case. His success was due to his foresight and wonderful faith in the mines. He drew big dividends because he paid heavy calls. When, at the outset of his speculations. Mr. Lansell lost all he possessed, he did not repine, but started afresh with renewed vigour. Mining was then just evolving from the alluvial to the quartz stage, and the new method was but little understood. Bendigo saddle reefs were the cause of great disappointment because their peculia rities could not be grasped. It was here that Mr. Lansell profited. He was a quick observer, and he studied the old-time methods, with a prophetic vision, in addition to a large amount of common sense. "Where it is, there it is," is a good old Cornish maxim, well applicable to gold-mining, which Mr. Lansell followed. He obtained interests in the Cinderella, Prince Alfred, and Advance companies, and laid the foundation of his fortune. His gains he invested in other stocks until his investments were dotted all over the field. His boldness attracted attention, and he gave heart to many a tumorous speculator. The deceased leaves a widow and family of four sons and one daughter. The sons are Victor, Horace, Leonard, and Cyril Lansell. The only daughter, Miss Edith Lansell, is at present seriously ill. Mrs. Lansell was Miss Edith Bassford.