Obituaries Australia

The late Mr. Thomas Williams, for thirty-five years manager of the late Dr. Browne's well-known Moorak Estate, in the Mt. Gambier district of South Australia, was one of the ablest men in the ranks of the pastoral managers of Australasia, as well as one of the kindest-hearted and most influential in his district. Mr. Williams, who was a native of Swansea, in South Wales, came out to South Australia in 1852, and after settling for twelve years at Mt. Barker, commenced farming near Mt. Gambier in 1864. Shortly afterwards he was appointed by the late Dr. Browne to the management of the farming operations which were being carried out on Moorak, and in the following year, 1865, when Dr. Browne left for England, he appointed him manager of the whole property, a position he held to the day of his death. During his long residence at Moorak he identified himself warmly with all movements for the welfare of the district. He took special interest in agricultural matters, and was a liberal supporter of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He was frequently called to act as judge at shows outside Mt. Gambier. He carried out many interesting experiments in grain, grass, and root growing, and was one of the pioneers in turning the swamp land in the Hundred of Benara to better account than growing marsh vegetation. He also interested himself in local government affairs, and served various terms as a councillor in the districts of Gambier East and West, Benara, and Beachport, and it may be said that whatever he undertook he did with all his might. He also served his term as a volunteer, and was a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges.

He was broad and liberal in his sympathies, and was a favourite with all ranks and conditions of men. His counsel and help will be missed by many, and we doubt, says the Border Watch, from which we have largely taken this notice, if we could name another in the district who will go to the grave leaving more general regret and the odour of a better name than Mr. Thomas Williams.

Mr. Williams, who for the greater part of his life enjoyed the best of health, suffered from a slight sunstroke in November, 1897, and was never quite well since. He made a trip to England in 1898, which seemed to do him good, but an incipient carbuncle, complicated with diabetes, eventually proved too much for his strength. He leaves behind him a widow and six children.