BARONET'S MISFORTUNES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 11

BARONET'S MISFORTUNES

IN OLD MEN'S HOME A LOVER OF SECLUSION [FROM OCR OWN COP,RESPONDENT] SYDNEY. Sept. 8 A strange story comes from Perth. It is to the effect that the only living Aus-tralian-born baronet, Sir Alexander Cock-burn-Campbell is an inmate of Old Men's Home at Claremont. The sod of a former President of the Legislative Council of Western Australia, Sir Alexander has lived a hard, pioneering life in the wild North-West of the Continent for more than 40 years, and now, fortune having deserted him, he has joined many other plucky pioneers in retreat.

Sir Alexander was born at Albany, in Western Australia, 60 years ago, and he went to the north-west when he was a young man of 20. He did not .live in luxury in an elaborate country home, for much of the time he was orilv a drover living a hard life on the road and in the camp. In 1926 his wife died in pathetic circumstances. She became seriously ill when the couple lived on a lonely station, Waterloo, and the nearest doctor was 164 miles away. Her husband sent for help, and before it could reach her over the rcugh, tortuous tracks of the north, Lady Cockburn-CSmpbell died. The tragedy received much prominence in Western Australia, and was used by those who urged the need for better communication and for greater assistance to the noble pioneers of a most uninviting district. It was largely as a result of Lady Cockburn's death that the aerial mail vice between Perth and Wyndham was inaugurated in later years. With his eyesight failing rapidly, and with no money to seek expert advice, Sir Alexander was compelled to leave his job in the north and go to Perth. If he has his own way he will not stay in the home longer than he can help. If he can receive satisfactory treatment for his eyes he intends to go back to his beloved north —back to tho seclusion ho has enjoyed for so long.