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OBITUARY     ~--------- After some months of ill-health,     another of the town's respected pion-     eers in Mr John W. Davis, of, Searle street, Horsham, passed away at the   Horsham Hospital on Tuesday night   about 10 o'clock at the age of 75 years.   The late Mr. Davis was hale and hearty, and it came quite a surprise to himself and his family recently to find that a medical command ordered him into the hospital after he had been examined by a doctor. An operation was perform- ed for an internal trouble, but despite skilled attention it was found that he could not possibly live many days.   Fortitude and calmness, however, came to his aid and, though never doubting that his days were numbered, he had a cheery word and smile to the many   friends who visited him. Born in Kent-   ish. Town, England, he came with his   parents to Australia at the age of   three years. Williamstown was his     home until at the age of 10 years he went to Stawell and became appren- ticed to the paintinng trade under Mr.   J. Rankin. It was here he met his     wife (Miss S. Stokeley, of Raglan), and the marriage took place on De- cember 2, 1873 at the Congregational   Church, Stawell. At Stawell he linked up with the Temperance Brass Band, in the hey dey of that town's mining   activities. In 1877 he arrived in Hor- sham under engagement to play in the band, conducted by the late Mr. J. P. Cocks. At that time there were two   bands, between which the keenest   rivalry existed. The ability of "Jack"   Davis-as he was familiarly known- as a euphonium player was recognised throughout the north-west, ad he was persuaded by the bandmaster of the Union Band to come to Horsham. Though bands have progressed much   since that date, Mr. Davis had retain-   ed, until some years ago, his position   as solo player of the euphonium and   horn. For a period he was bandmaster of the Natmuk and' Noradjuha bands.   Natimuk band achieved a measure of fame under his conductorship, being considered as superior to the district bands of the time. No sketch of the musical career of Mr. Davis would be complete without mention of his suc- cess as a singer of humorous songs. In the first effort to raise funds for the building of the Horsham Hospital he was a member of a concert party which was instrumental in raising a large sum for the worthy object. As a painter and decorator by trade-one of the old time artisans who learned their trade thoroughly in every branch-he was able to impart, an artistic touch to his successful work in the town and dis- trict. His interests in civic life ex- tended to fire brigade work, and soon after arriving he, linked up with the Horsham brigade. He held the posi- tion of secretaryship, and when he re- tired from active work with the bri- gade, he was elected an honorary life member. A memorable function in the life of the late Mr Davis was the gol- den wedding celebration in the Horsham Mechanics' Hall on December 3, 1921, when a social evening attracted nearly all the large circle of relatives. The late genial citizen, familiarly referred to as "father," will be missed by a wide circle of friends, for his old-world courtesy and kindness were well known characteristics. He leaves a widow, six sons and five daughters. The family are Fred (Rainbow), Stan (Horsham), Harry(Warracknabeal), Charley (Hor-   sham), Ted (Horsham), Louisa (Mrs. Randall), Bessie (Mrs Murray, New Zealand), Dolly (Mrs Conchie, Traral- gon); One son, Jack, was drowned in the Swan River, Perth, through a boat ing accident on October, 1904, at the age of 24. Deep sympathy has been extended to the sorrowing family in their sad loss. As a token of respect the flag at the fire station was flown at half-mast. The funeral took place yesterday, when over 60 motor cars left his late residence. The Horsham firemen in uniform formed a bodyguard at their late comrade's home in Searle street and at the graveside, standing to the salute throughout. Prior to three o'clock the firebell tolled at intervals, and members of the Horsham Borough Band in uniform played the Dead March before the cortege left the house and at the grave. There were many floral wreaths received, silent tokens of sympathy at the loss of a valued citizen. Rev. T. H. Indian, who con- ducted the service, briefly referred to the late Mr. Davis valued public life activities. The coffin-bearers were Messrs E. Culliver and T'om Young (re- presenting the Fire Brigade), D. Lewis and R. Carter (the Borough Band), and H.W.Wade and C. H. Hoskin (Pro-       gress Association). Messrs A. F.   Weight & Sons carried out the mortuary arrangenments. .   WEDDING and other, Invitation Cards or Circulars printed ati: "'The iHorsham Times" Office.

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