Obituaries Australia

Mr. Alexander Ferrier Watson, one of the pioneer engineers of New South Wales railways, died at his residence at Inverlochy, Mosman, at the age of 86 years. He joined the service 65 years ago, and surveyed many important lines. On his retirement in 1915 he was the divisional engineer of the western district, with headquarters at Bathurst, where he had been administering since 1887. After completing his studies at Edinburgh, Mr. Watson became a civil engineer, and joined the Imperial service, and later proceeded to India in charge of Government railway constructional works. He was the last surviving son of Dr. Churchill Watson, of Dublin. All his brothers were doctors of medicine, and practised their profession in London, with the exception of Dr. Charles Watson, who practised in Auckland, New Zealand. Mr. Watson is survived by his widow and three sons, Messrs. H. R., A., and D. G. Watson, and two daughters, Mrs. J. H. McLaughlin and Mrs. D. Innes Watt. The funeral took place in the Northern Suburbs Cemetery, the principal mourners being Mr. H. R. Watson (son), Douglas Wilkinson (brother-in-law), and Messrs. Laughlin and D. Innes Watt (sons-in-law).