Obituaries Australia

After a short and troublesome illness, Mr. Archibald Lee, late police magistrate, died at his residence at Toowong on the 19th instant, at the age of 78 years and 6 months. Born at London on the 24th March, 1838, he came to Australia at the early age of 14, and after three years office experience in Sydney arrived in Brisbane in August, 1856. He rode from Brisbane to the Darling Downs after a stay of only a day or two, and spent three years gaining experience on Glengallan station, owned by John Deuchar, his brother-in-law. In 1860 he went overland to Melbourne in charge of 10,000 wethers. In 1861 he left the Downs for the Maranoa district, found and took up some country on the head of the Amby Creek, the furthest out occupied run then being Bindango. In 1862 he took delivery of Wallumbilla Station, and the following year took the first sheep up to the new country taken up on the Amby, now called Kilmorey. His partner in pastoral pursuits was George Deuchar—afterwards a well-known and highly respected figure in the Stanthorpe district. Some years later the properties were sold, and Mr. Lee entered the Government service at Nanango, and in 1872 was appointed police magistrate. He remained in Nanango as P.M., Land Commissioner, &c., till 1895, and was then transferred as P.M. to Barcaldine. Three years later he went to St. George, and finally retired at the age limit in 1903, since then residing up to the date of his death in Toowong. His partner in life from May, 1863, was Margaret Fraser Allen, who predeceased him on July 2, 1902. The issue of the marriage was seven sons and one daughter, the latter, however, dying at a little over 2 years of age. The sons are all living, two following farming and grazing pursuits in the old district of Nanango, one is manager of the Commercial Bank of Australia in Kingaroy, two are with the New Zealand Loan and M.A. Co., Ltd., one is in the Railway Department, and the other is fighting for his King and country in France. Mr. Lee shortly before his death had the comfort of hearing from this son, and having a short account of his first charge on the enemy trenches. The Queenslanders with whom he was with, attacked the Germans and succeeded in gaining two lines, first and second, which they held for four days, when they were relieved after repulsing two counter-attacks and taking some prisoners. The many old friends of Mr. Lee, especially in the Nanango district, will deeply regret to hear of his demise. He took a great interest in all things of benefit to the town, and buildings still stand which were designed by him. He was a great reader.