DEATH OF A FEDERAL MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12398, 11 January 1901, Page 8

DEATH OF A FEDERAL MINISTER.

‘ /DEATH OF SIR J. R. DICKSON. END OF A NOTEWORTHY CAREER; ■ United 'Press Association—By Electric" ' " Telegraph—Copyright. ■ ■ i SYDNEY, Jan. 10. ; Sir J. R. Dickson, the Federal Minister of Defence, died early this morning,-at the, Australian Club, where he has been stayingsince his arrival ■in Sydney. ; He had suffered . from diabetes, for a long time, and his .exertions in connection with the Commonwealth celebrations ' aggravated the disease, but-until yesterday morning, when he became unconscious, it was thought that he would rally. Two- daughters Were pre : sent at his' death. The other members-of his family, including-Lady Dickson, are expected to-day. - Sir J. R. Dickson was in his sixty-ninth year. He had been twice married,-and leaves a grown up family by his first wife. For many years he was a prominent political figure in Queensland. He was a Liberal and a Freetrader. He took a leading part in the Federal movement j and was chiefly responsible for inducing Queensland to join the-union. He acted as the colony’s delegate to England on the Commonwealth Bill. It'will be remembered that he received a knighthood only at the beginning of this year. ■• : . (Received Jan.. 10, 10 p.m.) . A special train, conveying Sir J. R. Dickson’s remains, was despatched to Brisbane this' aftem&on, tlhe ) members of the family accompanying it. The members ol the' Federal Ministry, Mr See representing , the state-Ministry, several . members of the Queensland Ministry and- Parliament, -Mr Carroll representing New Zealand, and- a number of other prominent visitors, followed the hearse to the station. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths, including oho from the Commonwealth and State Goyermhents. , BRISBANE, Jan. 10. • Profound regret is expressed at Sir J. R. Dickson’s death, and flags everywhere are at half-mast. ( Sir J. R. Dickson will be accorded a State funeral..