Obituaries Australia

from the Newcastle Chronicle of Tuesday.

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr. George Maxted, the proprietor of our contemporary the Newcastle Pilot, which took place on Saturday last, at his residence in Watt-street. He had been ailing for some time past, but nothing serious was apprehended, and his sudden decease cast a gloom over the city. Under the advice of Dr. Bowker, he went down two months ago to Sydney to try the effects of change of scene and rest. On his return here it was noticed by many of his friends that a great alteration had taken place in his appearance, and so far from deriving benefit from the change, the ill effects of his malady had increased. Still he was hopeful of himself, and never until the last moments of his life anticipated how near he was to the great closing scene of all. On Saturday he began to sink rapidly, and at 12 o'clock sent for his sons (who were engaged at the office), that they might be near him at the last moments of his life. It must have been a great comfort for him to have seen all his children gathered round him. He was sensible to the dying moment; his faculties never left him for one single second from the time of his first attack of paralysis to the final scene of all. How greatly he was esteemed by the residents of Newcastle was manifested by the large attendance yesterday afternoon to pay their tribute of respect at his funeral. Every class was represented, most of the leading citizens of Newcastle being present. In a long and hard struggle with the world he had always maintained an honourable name. Every one who had business transactions with him respected him. His heart and soul was in his business, and never has a better or more able handicraftsman been known in the colonies. In his turn he had to encounter many crushing adversities, but he bravely fought the great battle of life, and in the end secured those comforts only to be realised by hard and honest labour. No one knowing him either personally or as a friend, or in his business, ever found him anything but a strictly honest and a kindly man. With no wish but to work for those he loved, he passed the quiet term of his life away, and when yesterday afternoon he was carried to his last home, the reward so well deserved was tendered him, in the weeping crowd gathered round his grave. The funeral cortege left the house for the Christ Church burial ground, precisely at four o'clock. The coffin was carried by members of the staff of this office; the pall-bearers were Dr.Knaggs, Messrs. McDicken and Nutter, and T. W. Knight. The funeral service was performed in a very impressive manner, by the Rev. A. E. Selwyn.