Obituaries Australia

On Thursday night, at his residence, Pyrmont Bridge Road, William Edward Murphy, Esq., attorney of the Supreme Court of this colony and of Queensland, died after a long and painful illness. Mr. Murphy was the eldest son of Roger Murphy, Esq , who half a century ago was one of the leading Catholics of Australia. The son was educated at St. Mary's Seminary, and was especially the object of the affection and interest of his Grace the Most Reverend Dr. Polding. Some time after his admission to the legal profession, he went to Queensland, and in a few years occupied professionally, socially, and publicly, a leading position in that colony. We believe that there were few citizens of Brisbane for whose character a higher admiration was felt, and in whose intelligence and independence there was a larger degree of public confidence. The pure friendships of his boyhood were preserved up to his death; and at his funeral on Sunday, at Petersham, the priest who conducted the burial service and some of those nearest the grave were the school-fellows of the deceased. Among these were Mr. Edward Augustus Scarvell, a kinsman of Mr. Murphy, and Mr. William Bede Dalley, one of his oldest and dearest friends. Mr. Dalley was with his friend a few moments before his departure, and when Mr. Murphy, who had long been prepared for his end, took an affectionate farewell of him.