Obituaries Australia

It is with regret we have to record the demise of a very old and universally respected resident of the Hunter River district, namely, Mr Archibald Windeyer, of Kinross, Raymond Terrace, which mournful event took place on Tuesday lost, at his residence as above stated. Mr Windeyer attained the ripe age of eighty-four years, and retained the full use of his faculties to the termination of his existence - the immediate cause of death being we understand, decay of nature. He resided at Kinross for upwards of thirty years and was a property owner to a considerable extent in the district. He was a magistrate of the territory for about a quarter of a century, and held the office of Returning Officer for the Lower Hunter electorate, for many years. As a colonist, a neighbour, and a Christian, he excelled many, and was consequently highly esteemed by all who knew him, and especially by those who best knew him. His respect for the Sabbath was, we have been informed, very great; and, in order that his servants might not have any excuse for absenting themselves from public worship on or otherwise desecrating that day, he invariably gave them a half holiday on Saturday, work being ordinarily suspended at one o’clock. He also maintained family worship regularly, and treated all under him with kindness. His remains were interred in the Church of England Cemetery, Raymond Terrace, yesterday - the funeral being largely attended.

We (Editor, Maitland Mercury) may add a few brief remarks to the above extract from our contemporary. Mr Windeyer was one of the few men who realise from time to time, the picture drawn of the "fine old English gentleman ' in the well known song of that name. This feature indeed was his most distinguishing characteristic, so far as we knew him personally - a courteous and obliging man, of good education, of a gentle dignity of manner, but rather retiring than forward in a mixed assembly - a man whom to know was to esteem for life. Mr Windeyer took a prominent part in the early proceedings of the Hunter River Vineyard Association, back in the forties, and for some time in the fifties, but for several years past has not been seen in any public assemblage in Maitland, from the growing infirmities of old age. In his life on the Hunter Mr Windeyer has rarely taken a prominent port in any general public movement; he was but a very moderate public speaker, judging from the few times we have heard him speak. His special usefulness in such matters was rather as chairman of a meeting, or as a member of committee afterwards; in these capacities he was constantly selected by his fellow citizens when present, and in his performance of such duties he exercised a very genial and a most beneficial influence among his neighbours.