Obituaries Australia

LATE MR. STEPHEN LAYER

Mr. Stephen Laver, who died peacefully at the District Hospital, Crookwell, on the morning of April 27th, came to the Crookwell district from Victoria more than 20 years ago, but prior to that his life had been filled with a great deal of ad venture.

He was born at West Pennard, Somerset (England) in 1867 and at the tender age of 16 years he went to Canada. His sojourn in that Dominion was of short duration. He returned to his native England and at the age of 19 years, accompanied by his mother and sisters, he set out for Australia.

He settled at Cranbourne, South Gippsland (Victoria), at the same time taking up a block of land on the Kooweerap Swamp, engaging in dairying and agriculture.

The late Mr. Laver also selected land in the Mallee, Victoria.

Early in his Australian career, in company with one of his brothers; he undertook a droving job, taking 13,000 sheep from South Australia to Queensland, the trip occupying a period of nine months.

Also in partnership with his brother he engaged for a time in a butchering business.

In 1889 he married Florence Mary Colclough, only daughter of a prominent Victorian grazier and merchant. The late Mrs. Laver (who predeceased her husband by seven years) is affectionately re membered by many people in the Crookwell district. She was the founder of the Crookwell branch (first country branch to be formed) of the Countrywomen's Association, also of the Boorowa branch, and took a very prominent part in building up this organisation throughout the State.

The late Mr. Laver next selected land at Forster and Loch (South Gippsland). At the last mentioned place he established a Border Leicester stud, and was one of the first to import these sheep from Scotland. He build up a splendid stud and was for years a successful exhibitor of Border-Leicesters at the Melbourne Royal Show.

He also acquired a property in the Riverina, 12 miles from Yarrawonga. Here he engaged in wool and wheat growing.

Disposing of his properties in the Riverina he bought a 320-acre block in the Goulburn Valley at Tatura, where he engaged in dairying and lucerne growing for a year or so. Selling out he came to New South Wales, where he purchased the property then known by another name and which he called 'Cotswold.' He relinquished control of this property a good many years ago in favour of his son, Mr. Aubrey Laver, who now controls it, and acquired the property known as Tatong in the Reid's Flat district. This property is to-day in the hands of his youngest son, Clive.

It was here that the late Mr. Laver resided until the state of his health forced him to enter hospital an December 27th of last year. Although the sons are unable to give any details concerning one of their father's adventures, it is on record that at one time he visited the South Sea Islands in a sailing ship and at Samoa became acquainted with the late Robert Louis Stevenson.

Although, as the foregoing shows, the late Mr. Laver did not remain for very long on some of the properties which he acquired, he left his mark on all of them, for they showed very clearly the results of successful improvement methods employed by him.

During his long association with rural pursuits the late Mr. Laver was prominently identified with numerous agricultural societies. He was a member of the Crookwell A., P. and H. Society and was for a time a member of the show com mittee.

Until about twelve months ago, when failing health compelled him to relinquish his activity, he was actively engaged in the working of his property, 'Tatong.' He is survived by three sons, John ('Glen Avon,' via Frogmore), Aulbrey ('Cotswold,' Grabben Gullen), and Clive ('Tatong,' via Frogmore) .

The deceased was one of a family of eight, only one of whom, a sister, survives, Mrs. J. Clark of Chatswood.

The remains were laid to rest in the. Church of England section of the Crookwell cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, April 28th. The funeral left St. Bartholomew's Church, Crookwell, following a service conducted by Rev. S. G. Davis, who also performed the last sad rites at the graveside.

Amongst the floral tributes were noted those from the following: John, Aubrey and Clive; Hattie and John; Adah and Aubrey; Hattie, Florence and Graham; Mr. and Mrs W. J. Armstrong; Mr. and Mrs. Gerrand and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. W. D. McConnell; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McConnell, Jnr.; the Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge Crookwell; J. Alfred Culley; Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Williams; Mrs. McMeekin and family; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Goodhew and fam ily.; C.W. Association, Crookwell; Cecil and Mrs. Levy; S. C. and C. A. Dunn; L. -E. and R. M. Carey; Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Howe and Mrs. Harvey; Max and Graham, Rowe; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Sulli. van; Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Saund ers; Mr. and Mrs. Reg Shepherd and family; Mrs. L. B. Carey; Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly. — Crookwell 'Advocate.'