Obituaries Australia

Mr George Alexander Murray, a resident of Sydney for over 50 years, died at his residence, Roslyn Hall, Manly, late on Wednesday night. The deceased gentleman had reached the age of 71 years, and enjoyed good health until very recently, a few days ago he felt unwell, but apparently recovered, and was in his usual health. On Wednesday, however, he took a turn for the worse, and succumbed to an affection of the heart as stated. The late Mr Murray was a native of Deanly, in the highlands of Scotland, and as a youth was engaged in office work and had as a fellow workmate now Sir John Burns, of the Cunard S.S. Company. When about 21 years of age Mr Murray came to Sydney, and subsequently was engaged as manager of the European Australian Royal Mail Steam Packet Company; at that time there was a monthly service only. After a lapse of time he joined Mr John Russell as partner and purchased the well-known iron and contractors' business of Messrs P. N. Russell and Co, and for many years conducted the financial management of the firm's extensive business. During his connection with the business several large contracts of railway and bridge construction were carried out successfully. The deceased's firm also supplied most of the iron and metal work in connection with the railways. Since the year 1876 the late Mr Murray had practically lived in retirement. He was for some years a member of the board of directors of the AMP Society, the old Bulli Coal Company, and the Waratah Coal Company. At the time of his death he was on the directorate of the Australian Joint Stock Bank and also chairman of the Mittagong Land Company. The deceased gentleman also spent some time in the British Navy, and served in H.M.S. Zebra. He took an active part in the Crimean War, and was present at the taking of Kinburn. As a "Highlander," the late Mr Murray was prominent in various Scotch gatherings in the city, and was one of the founders of the Highland Society of New South Wales. He took no practical interest in public matters, municipal or political. He married a daughter of Captain Johnston, of Annandale, and leaves a widow and family of four, two sons and two daughters. His elder son, Mr Stewart Murray, has Cooyal Station, near Mudgee, and the younger, Mr Norman Hector Murray, has just passed his final solicitor's examination. Both daughters are married, the elder to Mr Joseph McKinney, of Cooba Station, Narrandera and the younger to the latter's brother, Mr James McKinney, of Nangus station, Gundagai. Mr Murray's remains will be interred in the family vault in the old churchyard at Ashfield this after-noon.