Obituaries Australia

The news of the death of Mr. John McFadyen, the miners' district treasurer, will be learned with very general regret. Probably no one in the union was more widely respected. Sudden as the end might appear to have been, it was not altogether unexpected by his immediate friends and relatives. Last Friday week, during the very cold weather, he contracted a cold, and, being then in a rather weak state of health, the cold brought on pneumonia. This took an acute form, and the end came at 12.30 yesterday morning. Drs. Andrew Nash and Stapleton had been in constant attendance on the deceased, who was conscious to the last, and died peacefully. Mr. Jas. Curley, the miners' general secretary, paid frequent visits to deceased's bedside, and was present when he breathed his last. Mrs. McFadyen, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott (a daughter and son-in-law), Mrs. Cunningham, Mr. Leyburn, and other neighbours were also present when Death came. Mr. W. Bower and members of the delegate board had also visited the deceased during his illness.

Mr. McFadyen was born at the island of Tyree, Argyllshire, Scotland, on 2nd October, 1833, and was therefore 67 years of age. He came to the colony some 42 years ago, and started work at the Borehole Colliery, where he remained for three or four years. Then he went to the Tomago mine for a year or so, leaving there to go to Minmi. He left Minmi when the pit was flooded, and took a position as miner at Anvil Creek. After a brief period he left to take a position at the Lambton Colliery, and remained at this mine—below and above ground—for the past 33 years, his latest occupation being that of miners' check-weighman. He always took an active part in local lodge matters, as well as district affairs. He took up the position of district treasurer in succession to the late William Hunter, a few years ago. In his time the organisation has been known as the "Miners Union," the "Hunter River Miners' Association," the "Amalgamated Miners Association,' and the "Colliery Employees' Federation." He took also a deep interest in friendly societies. He was a member of the G.U.O. Oddfellows (Lambton branch), and also a member of the A.O. Druids (Lambton branch). In 1860 he married Mary McKinnon, second daughter of the late Hector McKinnon. His wife is still alive, with a family of grown-up sons and daughters. His eldest son, Hector McFadyen, is at present in West Australia; another son, Allan, is in Queensland; another son, his youngest, was until recently employed at the Co-operative Stores, West Wallsend, and is now manager of a Co-operative Store at Helensburgh. There are four daughters left to mourn their loss, one being married to Mr. Elliott, of Lambton.