Obituaries Australia

The Honorable Thomas Walker, M.L.A., who passed away on Tuesday, had a varied and much travelled career. Leaving his native Preston (Eng.) where he first saw light on February 5, 1858, Mr. Walker repaired to Canada where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and later saw service as a chemist's assistant. Returning home, journalism occupied his energies. The call of Canada came again and after working on the land for another period he left for the States, where he forsook the plough for the pen. After writing for the Toledo "Review," and the Ohio "Democrat," Mr. Walker embarked upon a lecturing tour of the States of North America. The occult sciences, evolution and other topics formed the main subjects for his platform work.

The year 1877 saw his arrival in Sydney, in continuance of his lecturing tour. In Melbourne it is worthy of note that Mr. Alfred Deakin presided over his first lecture, which was incidentally delivered when he was not yet out of his 'teens. The tour embraced Great Britain, and later he went to South Africa, whence he was invited by special invitation.

Back he came to Melbourne, missed in his attempt to take the Richmond seat in Parliament, went to Sydney, where he was installed for Northumberland, holding his position for three successive parliaments. So great a thorn did he prove that the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, used all his political and personal powers to defeat Mr. Walker on each occasion on which he put up for election, but T.W. managed, with his wonderful oratory and tremendous platform personality, to win votes.

In his leisure moments from politics, Mr. Walker devoted his time to the pen, and several dramas, including a dramatisation of "The Term of His Natural Life," the Marcus Clarke epic, and "Marmondelle the Moor," in the latter of which he displayed further versatility by appearing in it on the stage, along with Alfred Dampier, who produced the piece in Sydney.

The Redistribution of Seats Bill abolished his electorate, which left him free to teach elocution, write and lecture. New Zealand and then this State claimed his attention.

In Western Australia, Mr. Walker assisted the late F. C. B. Vosper to conduct "The Sunday Times." Going to the goldfields, Mr. Walker was in turn associated with "The Sun," and "The Miner," but the demise of Mr. Vosper meant a return to "The Sunday Times."

He next edited "The Sunday Press," of which he was part proprietor. Later "The Sunday Times" and the "Sun" came under one management, and Mr. Walker went to the 'fields in charge of the latter journal in which he exposed many social and commercial scandals. Re-entering politics he secured the Kanowna seat, gave up journalism, and commenced a study of the law, with which he strengthened his knowledge of constitutions and procedures.

Politics and study were two hard taskmasters, but Mr. Walker surmounted every difficulty through his superb courage, sharpness of intellect and faculty for study. He was articled for five years with the late Mr. Richard S. Haynes, K.C.

Preparation for the final law examination was pursued under extreme difficulties. His presence in the House was needed, at the time, in the many all-night sittings on important discussions like the Redistribution of Seats Bill, in which Mr. Walker took a characteristic whole-hearted interest. A health trip to the Eastern States repaired his frame.

The year 1911 saw his star in the ascendant. Returned unopposed to the House, he was given a portfolio, was later admitted to the Bar and sworn in as Attorney-General on the same day. In 1912 he was made a member of the first Senate of the University of Western Australia. The return of the Collier Government in 1924 saw Mr. Walker elected to the Speaker's chair, a position he held till 1930.

He was an orchardist at Mardella, near Armadale, and also a pioneer wheat grower at Trayning, where are now his two sons. A daughter also survives him.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon and the respect paid by the vast number of mourners was in keeping with the man whose talents, energies and services to the State were so outstanding.