Obituaries Australia

It is with much regret that we announce the death of Mr. William Lyne, of Swansea, which took place yesterday at his residence Apsley House, in the Glamorgan district, at the ripe age of nearly 80 years. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest residents in this district, having arrived in the colony with his parents upwards of 60 years since his father, who was one of the early pioneers of the colony, received a grant of and from the Crown about 18 miles from Swansea, and 10 miles from Bicheno, and by subsequent purchases was enabled to settle his three sons, Messrs John, William, and Henry Lyne, on properties in his immediate neighbourhood, Mr. William Lyne at the death of his father occupying the original homestead of 'Apsley'. Mr W. Lyne has always taken a warm interest in all matters affecting the welfare and prgress of the colony and notably so of the district in which he resided. Glamorgan was the first district in Tasmania which took upon itself the responsibilities of local self government, it was proclaimed a Rural Municipality in January 1860, and during nearly the whole of the time extending from that date to the present time, Mr Lyne has discharged the duties of a councillor. He has also been a magistrate for the Territory for 34 years. The faithful performance of all duties, both public and private, gained for him the respect and affection of all who knew him; his death will be severely felt by a large circle of relatives and friends in many parts of Tasmania, more especially so by the residents in his neighbourhood by whom he was always regarded as a "guide, philosopher, and friend." Many a heart will throb with pain when the news spreads that the kind master of Apsley is dead. He was a consistent member of the Church of England, his house being opened for divine worship on the Sundays that the incumbent of Swansea made his periodical visits to Apsley, but Mr Lyne's sympathy and help were never denied to all good men regardless of the religious communions to which they belonged. In politics Mr Lyne was a Conservative always retaining a loyal affection for the institutions and traditions of the Mother Country. In all his characteristics he might be fitly described as "the fine old English gentleman, one of the olden time." Mr. Lyne was twice married, the present Mrs. Lyne survives him, and he leaves five daughters, three of whom are married, and three sons, Frederick Lyne of Redcliffe, James Lyne of Apsley, and Louis Lyne of Bowsden; his surviving brother is the much respected member of the House of Assembly for Glamorgan.