Obituaries Australia

On Friday evening last Mr. Thomas Lewis, J.P., died at his residence at Wollongong after suffering from failing health for some time. The deceased gentleman's life, which extended to seventy-six years, was a somewhat chequered one. He was a native of Wales, and was a Welshman of the most pronounced type. In his early days he had to battle with the hardships of life in the old land, which he left for this colony before reaching middle age. On his arrival here he settled at Newcastle in connection with the mining industry, and being a man of considerable intelligence and indomitable Welsh perseverance, he was not long in becoming a man of mark among his fellows. Late in the fifties, or very early in the sixties, he was elected to represent a Newcastle constituency in the Legislature. After serving in that capacity throughout one Parliament he became an Inspector of Collieries under the Mines Department, and occupied that position about 20 years, during which period he visited the Illawarra collieries frequently in his inspectorial capacity. On quitting the Public Service about 17 years ago he retired into private life and soon afterwards became a resident of Wollongong, where, with the exception of a few years spent at Mount Ousley, near the town he resided until his death. He was twice married, his second wife, who survives him, being the elder of the late Mr. George Hewlett's two daughters. In addition to his widow he leaves one daughter — by the second marriage. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. E. T. Miles officiating at the interment in the Congregational cemetery. It should be mentioned that on leaving the Public Service the deceased gentleman was in independent circumstances financially. Like many others, however, he was led away by the temptation of mining speculations and other similar ventures, with the result, as in most such instances, that he was practically ruined. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and daughter in their bereavement. The deceased, during his illness, received unremitting attention at the hands of Dr. Wade.