OBITUARY.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 115, 17 May 1897, Page 5

OBITUARY.

SIR WILLIAM CL4RKE. [PBESS ASSOCIATION.") Melbourne, 15th May. Sir William Clarke dropped dead in" the street to-day. He was stepping from a tram, when he suddenly staggered and fell. He was removed to the Union Club, and died in a few minutes. The cause of death was -heart disease. [The Hon. Sir William John Clarke, Bart., M.L.C., LL.D., was the eldest son of the Hon. W. J. T. Clarke, and was born in Tasmania in 1831. In 1862 he became manager of his father's estates in Victoria, and in 1874 succeeded to them on his father's death. He early evinced a strong interest in agricultural affairs, and he introduced a scientific instructor on agricultural chemistry, who lectured in different parts of Victoria. Ho was the recognised head of the three Masonic Constitutions in Victoria — a position which had never before been held by any oiie individual in the Craft. In 1882 Sir William founded, by a gift of 3000 guineas, the Southern Province (Victoria) Scholarship in the Royal College of Music, England. He was also a patron of art. The defence movement was encouraged by Sir William, who offered valuable prizes for competition amongst the military and naval forces. He had represented the Southern Province in the Legislative Council since 1878. He was married twice— first to Mary, second daughter of John Walker, M.L.C., Tasmania, and then to Janet Marian, eldest daughter of the late Hon. P. Snodgrass, M.L.C ]