Obituaries Australia

With the passing of Mr. John Vincent McCarney at the Bellinger River District Hospital, at the age 87 years, a very prominent figure associated for nearly half a century with the activities of the railways of this State, has been removed. Probably no man in the outdoor service of the department was better known, while it is generally accepted that no man in the service commanded greater respect or won higher esteem and admiration from his fellow officers than did the late Mr. McCarney.

Australian born, Mr. McCarney was a son of the Mr. and Mrs. Bernard McCarney, former immigrants from Ireland, and he first saw the light of day at Campbelltown, New South Wales, on June 17, 1847. He had a meagre schooling, as educational facilities in those days were not so generously bestowed as they are to-day, and he then entered into the broader spheres of life when a lad only in his early teens. First he assisted to attend sheep, and later helped with wheat growing and general farming work. Rural activities, however, did not appeal to him, and when the chance came, he accepted employment with an engineering and contracting firm in the city. In this, capacity he displayed an unusual bent and very soon he took over the operation and driving of an engine and plant, only to resign his post when the opportunity of joining the State railway staff presented itself in the year 1868.

His work with the Railway Department was of such a nature that he rapidly forged ahead, and his unusual skill and ability in the mechanical spheres won fame for him throughout the service. One of the most treasured of his possessions was a simple silver badge, which bore an inscription indicating that, he was the first enginedriver in the State to secure his qualification by examination, in December, 1884. For many years Mr. McCarney was engaged in driving on the northern section of the system, to the then terminus at Murrurundi, and it may be said that he was as well-known and as popular as the line itself was with the people it served. He had the honor and distinction of being selected to drive the epoch making trains to the various new districts as the system grew, while his was invariably the honor when vice-regal and other distinguished personages were conveyed from centre to centre in special trains.

In 1891 he was transferred from the driving staff to the Chief Mechanical Engineers' Department, and in 1893 he moved on to Bathurst where he was appointed as loco inspector on a very important section of the system. He continued in this office till 1903, and in turn was on inspection work at Singleton, Junee and Goulburn, leaving the latter place in 1908 for the metropolis, where he was established as a travelling inspector of enginedrivers, with headquarters at Everleigh. He was selected for this special service by Mr. Commissioner Eddy, and it was in this particular branch of the work that he came into closer contact with the many drivers throughout the service. he possessed an unusual knowledge of the Westinghouse braking systems, and it is generally asserted that few men possessed a greater knowledge of engineering detail in every avenue of railway work.

There are very many men in the service to-day who acknowledge with a very deep appreciation the assistance Mr. McCarney has given them; while for those who were privileged to enjoy his splendid company, both in and out of the service — and they are legion — nothing but the happiest memories remain. Mr. McCarney was a prominent figure in the service throughout his forty-three years with the department, and there were very many expressions of regret when he resigned in 1911.

After he retired he maintained continuous correspondence with many of his former and younger associates, and in some cases regular weekly letters were exchanged, and many of the members of the executive office in Sydney always remembered June 17, each year, for it was "Javey's" birthday anniversary.

When he reached his 84th birthday in 1931 he received a little memento he treasured very much, in the form of a beautiful photograph of the fine 57 class engine which had been brought into use. The photograph was autographed by such well-known figures as Messrs. E. E. Lucy, W. Mecham; J. H. Hunter, W. H. Armstrong and others, and it carried hearty greetings. In 1911 Mr McCarney went to reside in retirement at Kempsey, where he remained until 1916, coming in that year to the Bellinger to live with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. McDougall. Here, as in every other centre, Mr. McCarney established a fine circle of staunch friends.

Although, as has been stated earlier in this notice, he had a very meagre school education, Mr. McCarney had always been a deep reader and a keen student, not only of matters appertaining directly to his own avenue of work, but of affairs political, educational, social and economic, and he could engage in the keenest discussions with the most learned men of the time. He contributed articles on a wide range of subjects to many of the periodicals and newspapers throughout the State. He also forwarded many articles to the Sydney 'Bulletin,' and a most eulogistic letter in regard to his writings from the late Mr. Archibald, editor of that journal, was greatly prized by Mr. McCarney. His power of expression, his beautiful English, the deep thought behind his serious articles, and the subtle sense of humor permeating his skits and quips made his contributions a delight to read. 'Javey' was truly a versatile and extraordinary man, and he has now passed to his reward, after four score years and seven, honored and esteemed on every hand.

The late Mr. McCarney is survived by his wife, two sons (John, of Sydney, and Claude, of Moree) and two daughters (Mrs. Aubrey McDougall and Mrs. McDougall, both of Bellingen), together with nine grandchildren. One son and two daughters pre-deceased him.