Obituaries Australia

Did Richard Mealing, 87-year-old pensioner, found dead in his burning shanty yesterday afternoon, light his own "funeral pyre"?

Local police, investigating the cause of the fire, admit the possibility that Mealing sought this way of death.

Found on his back near the fire, the dead man was only slightly burnt about the hands, and the possibility is that he may have suddenly succumbed to shock.

There was no clue to assist the police in determining how the fire started.

"Old Dick" was known through Walcha district, and was a familiar figure to the bullock teamsters.