Obituaries Australia

Arthur Hannibal Macarthur was the youngest son of the late Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur, and grandson of Captain P. G. King, the third Governor of this colony. His lamented death occurred at Gulgong on the 6th instant within a few days of his attaining his 41st year. He had been but recently appointed as Police Magistrate and Gold Commissioner for the new and flourishing gold-field at Gulgong, and had entered on his duties with more than ordinary zeal. Indeed his exertions to bring up the arrears of the district were, humanly speaking, the cause of his death—clerical and mental labour from 5 in the morning to midnight, proved too severe a strain on his system. On the previous Saturday the deceased gentleman was observed to be in more than his usual spirits and good health, and on the following Sunday he performed Divine Service at Gulgong, as was his usual custom. At the conclusion of the service he complained of his head, but was immediately attended by the local medical man, and every attention was paid to him by Mr. Medley, the Inspector of Police. Doctors Rowling and Ramsay being sent for arrived after the sufferer had passed into a state of insensibility, from which he never rallied. His death occurred at 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon. On hearing of Mr Macarthur's illness Mr Nicholas Bayly, accompanied by his wife and daughter, proceeded immediately to Gulgong, but arrived too late to see their relative alive, though in time to perform the last sad offices, and to arrange for the conveyance of the remains to Parramatta. On the melancholy fact becoming known to the residents of Gulgong, a telegram was resolved to be sent to Sydney, a copy of which is subjoined. It is a mark of the high opinion entertained of the deceased, and is strong evidence that under the rough-and-ready breast of the Australian gold miner there exists in high relief those fine and tender feelings which are inseparable from the manlier virtues. The following is a copy of the telegram referred to:— " Mudgee, 7th March, 1871. Mr. Decourcy Brown, Gulgong, to Mrs A. H. Macarthur, 164, Alberto-terrace, Sydney. At a large open air public meeting held last evening, the miners deputed me to tender you their respectful sympathy and condolence in your great affliction, which has moved them one and all from its suddenness in removing one so beloved for his gentleness, truth, and honesty in his intercourse with the miners. May God give you strength to bear your trial." As a further evidence of the high respect in which the deceased gentleman was held by the population of Gulgong, it is stated that on the funeral procession commencing its long journey it was accompanied for some distance on the road from Gulgong by about fifteen hundred of the miners.