OBITUARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3130, 17 May 1897, Page 3

OBITUARY.

SIB WILLIAM CLARKE. By Telegraph. — Press Association. — Copyright. Received May 15,8.40 p.m. Melbourne, May 15. Sir William Clarke droppodjdead 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. TThe deceased waa the eldest son of the late Hon W. J. T. Clarke, M.L C., and was born in Tasmania in 1831. Sir William first arrived in Victoria in 1850, when he spent a couple of years in the study of sheep-farming on his father’s station. In 18G3 he took over the management of hia father s concerns, and on the latter’a death in 1874 succeeded to ms estates. Amongst Sir William Clarke s donations to public objects may be mentioned the gift of £2OOO to the Indian Famine h und, ot '£lo,ooo towards building the Anglican Cathedral at Melbourne, of £7OOO to Trinity College, Melbourne University and others. Sir William figured prominently in the domain of as a patron of coursing and yachting. Ho was the recognised head of the three Masonic constitutions in Victoria —a unique position not held by any other individual in the craft. In 1832 Sir William founded, by a gift of 3000 guineas, the “ Southern Province Scholarship,” in the Royal College of Music, England. To the Melbourne Public Library he presented some admirable statuary and paintings. Ho also encouraged the defence movement, a battery of three Nordenfoldt guns, commanded by Sir William’s eldest son, being horsed and maintained at his expense. He represented the southern province in the Legislative Council since 1878. In 1879 he waa president of the] Melbourne International Exhibition, for his service in connection with which he w*s raised to the baronetcy in 1882. In 1886 ho had the honorary degree of LL.D. conferred on him by the University of Cambridge. Sir William was married twice, on the first occasion, in 1860, to the second daughter of the Hon J. Walker, of Tasmania, who died in 1871, and on the second, in 1873, to the oldest daughter of the late Hon Peter Snodgrass, M.L.C.] CHARLES RYLEY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. — Copyright. Received May 15, 8.20 p.m. London, May 14.

Charles JEyley, the popular baritone singer, who broke two blood-vessels a few days ago, is dead. [Mr Byley will be remembered by Wellington playgoeis as a member of Messrs Williamson and Muagrove’s Eoyal Comic Opera Company, which first performed “ The Gondoliers ”in this oity. Mr Byley played Guiseppe.]