OBITUARY

Mr. James Thomas McConville

The death occurred at the Narandera ( sic ) District Hospital on Tuesday last of Mr. James Thomas McConville, of Narandera, at the age of 70 years.

Mr McConville, who was a native of Gunning, joined the New South Wales railway service at an early age.

In the extensive retrenchments following the bank crash in 1893 Mr. McConville was one of those whose service were dispensed with.

He then joined the police force, and was stationed at various centres.

During his term in the force he displayed remarkable ability and tact, and was popular with all sections of the communities in which he resided.

While stationed at Stuart Town he resigned from the police force, and his departure from the district was marked by a popular farewell in which Mr McConville was made the recipient of a gold watch and chain, the chain being made from gold mined at Stuart Town.

He acquired the license of the Broadway Hotel, Junee, and remained there for a number of years. Later he took over the licence of an hotel at Boorowa, and resided in that town for several years.

Some years ago he came to Narandera, where he had since resided. He made many friends here, by whom he was held in high esteem. In his early days he was a noted amateur boxer, and gave promise of making a name for himself in this sphere. Other interests, however, claimed his attention, and he relinquished his activity in this direction. He was a keen follower of all types of sport, and derived a good deal of enjoyment from cricket, football, and other classes of sport.

Deceased is survived by two sons and four daughters. The sons are James ( RA.A.F., Sydney) and Charles (school teacher, Quirindi); while the daughters are Tot (Mrs. O. Belling, Sydney). Misses Bridget, Edna, and Norah (all of Sydney).

He is also survived by one brother, Mr. J. W. McConville of Narandera.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, when the remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Narandera cemetery.

The bearers were Messrs. Charles and James McConville (sons), Thorpe McConville (nephew), and — Belling (grandson). The last mentioned has only recently returned from Port Moresby.

Messrs. Watkins Bros, had charge of the funeral arrangements.

GUNNING

OBITUARY Mr. Jim McConville

Word has been received at Gunning of the death of one of its old and respected old-time citizens in the person of Mr. Jim McConville, which occurred at a private hospital at Narrandera on August 11.

The late Mr. McConville was a native of Gunning and received his early education at the Public School.

He was in the Police Force for some time. He was stationed at Peak Hill and later became a hotel proprietor.

At the Gunning Show he was a conspicuous visitor, making new friends and renewing old-time friendships.

He was the third son of the late Mrs. Rodrom and step-brother of Messrs. Joe and George Rodram, late of Gunning, and first cousin to Mrs. James Lyell, of Gunning.

His old-time friends will regret to learn of Mr. McConville’s death, as he was a man of sterling qualities and held in high esteem.

He is survived by five daughters, Tor (Mrs. Belling), Bid, Leila (Mrs. Fraser), Norah and Edna, and two sons, Charles and Jim.

The interment took place at Narrandera.

CONSTABLE KILLED

Lower River Native To Be Given Police Funeral AT MACLEAN TO-DAY.

First-class Constable John Lindsay Marsh, who was killed while on duty at Gloucester on Monday afternoon, will be accorded a police funeral at Maclean this afternoon.

This will be the first police funeral held in the Grafton district for many years. Fifteen police in charge of Inspector B. H. Baxter, of Grafton, will attend the funeral.

Constable Marsh, who was a native of the Lower Clarence, had been stationed at Gloucester for nearly a year. On Monday afternoon he was riding a motor cycle along the main road on the outskirts of the town when the machine skidded on some rough road and crashed into a post, throwing Constable Marsh heavily to the ground. He received severe head injuries from which he died about half an hour later before he could be removed to hospital.

The body was taken to Taree and put on the train for Grafton. It was taken from Grafton to Maclean yesterday afternoon for the funeral at Maclean at 2 o’clock this afternoon.

Constable Marsh, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marsh, of Palmer’s Island, are well-known residents of the Lower River, was born at Maclean 33 years ago, and joined the New South Wales police force about 13 years ago. He was stationed al places in the north-west of the State and at Glen Innes, and went to Gloucester about a year ago. During the time that he was stationed at Gloucester he proved a most efficient officer and won the esteem and affection of a very large circle of friends, who were deeply grieved to learn of his tragic death.

As Constable Marsh had been killed on duty it has been decided that he be given a police funeral, and Inspector Baxter, whose district the funeral will take place, has been instructed to arrange for this. Police from Grafton, South Grafton, Ulmarra. Maclean. Brushgrove, Lawrence; and Harwood Island, will be in Maclean for the funeral this afternoon. They will march ahead of the hearse, and at the cemetery will form a guard of honor. Some of them will also act as pall-bearers.

Shocking Accident,

CONSTABLE MARSH KILLED.

A distressing fatality occurred in the southern end of Church Street, Gloucester yesterday afternoon, when Constable John Lindsay Marsh was thrown from his motor cycle and received severe head injuries from which he died within a few minutes.

The occurrence happened about 2 p.m., just at a small culvert almost in front of the home of Mrs. J. West, Sen. The Constable left town and was on his way to Ward’s River on official duty. A few minutes before he was at the motor garage of Mr. A. Grahame and in excellent spirits.

Mr. Jack West, who saw the happening from his home, said Mr. Marsh seemed to be doing something to the gears of the cycle. It suddenly veered to the left-hand side of the road and the wheel of the side-car struck the guide post of the culvert. The rider was thrown into the air and in falling his head appeared to come in contact with the hard road. The machine overturned, also, and skidded partly under the injured man.

Constable Marsh was unconscious when help arrived, within a short space of time, but passed away with out regaining consciousness some fifteen or twenty minutes later. The Ambulance, from Taree, was sent for immediately after the happening and on its arrival the body was conveyed from Mrs. West’s residence to Howard’s funeral parlour.

An inquest into the cause of the accident and death will be held.

Constable Marsh had been stationed in Gloucester for the past eleven months. He succeeded Constable Jack Casey when this officer was transferred to Glen Innes. He was an extremely likeable officer and had gained the goodwill of all sections of the community. He was of a happy disposition and displayed same in the course of his duty, and in the spending of his leisure hours.- To us he seemed the type that might genuinely be termed a good sport, and gave evidence of the trait in a man’s make-up that makes for this quality on a number of occasions, both in and out of Court.

During the past few months, whenever Constable Marsh had an hour or two away from the more serious duties of his job, he spent same in the garden and grounds at the Police Station. The trim and well-kept appearance there tell more plainly than words of his gardening ability and the. pride and pleasure shown in’ its doing.

Genuine regret will be general at this popular officer’s sad and sudden passing.

Mr. W. T. Howard . took the body to Taree by, hearse, last evening to be conveyed, later to Maclean, where Constable Marsh’s parents live.

Deceased will be accorded a Police funeral.