Muswellbrook Chronicle (NSW : 1898 - 1955), Friday 13 April 1945, page 4


DEATHS.

WILLIAM GEOKGJS NOBLE.

By the death of William George Noble, which occurred in the Merriwa Hospital on Tuesday, 27th March, fol lowing a brief illness, the Merriwa and Cassilis districts have lost yet an other of the old pioneers who had been connected with the grazing in dustry for a lifetime. He was born at Pembroke, then a part of Collaroy Station, 84 years ago, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Noble. He resided at Pembroke until 1880 when he was given charge of "Colly Blue" in the Liverpool Plains district, a pro perty owned by the Collaroy Company. In the year 1895 the late Mr. Noble gave up his position with the Colla roy Company and took over the man agment of his father's property, Hampshire." There he remained until 1914, when he acquired a property near Baan Baa. Disposing of this property in 19?? deceased came to Merriwa to. live, where he resided to the time of his death. He married a Miss Mac Intyre, of Weetalabah, in 1896, and his wife predeceased him in 1926. Of the union there was one son, now a mem

ber of the A.I.F. Of a quiet an un

assuming nature, the late Mr. Noble was esteemed for his integrity and kindly nature. He was a member of a family of three sons and four daugh ters, and the only surviving members are Mrs. E. H. Noble and Mrs. E. Potts, senr., both of whom reside in Merriwa. Deceased was a member of one of the oldest pioneering families of the district and one of the most highly respected. The late Mr. Isaac Noble came from Hampshire, Eng land, and landed in Sydney on the 27th November, 1855. He came to Cas silis Station a year later, making the journey by boat to Morpeth and thence by bullock team to Cassilis. It is un derstood he was associated with the Busby family, owners of Cassilis Station, as a boy in England prior to coming to Australia. Two brothers of the late Isaac Noble also came to Cas

silis Station

The interment took place in the Merriwa Cemetery, following a ser vice in Holy Trinity Church, the Rev.

S. V. Satchell officiating.

:0:

HAROLD JOHN WITNEY.

The passing on 27th March of the late Harold John Witney, under such sudden and tragic circumstances, as briefly described in our last issue, caused sincere regret throughout the town and district, and his many friends could hardly credit the sad news which brought forth widespread sympathy for the bereaved family. De ceased was a native of Merriwa, where he had resided all his life and, conse quently, was known far and wide throughout the Merriwa and Cassilis districts and merited the respect of all. He was born at "Sunnyside," Mer riwa, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Witney, and was 63 years of age. He could be described as a son of the soil, and had followed pastoral pursuits all his life. In the year 1912 the late Mr. Witney acquired his '' Lisbon " property in Merriwa, where he resided to the time of his death. He was known for his kindly nature and was a good neighbour, being ever ready to do a good turn. He took a delight in visting those in need or sick ness, and it was only the day before his death that he visited his old friend, Mr. T. E. O'Brien, senr., who has been practically an invalid for some time past. Deceased is survived by his wife and two daughters, Phyllis (Mrs. C. Pinchen), Merriwa, and Leone (Mrs. E. Parsons), Merriwa, and two sons, Harold (''Mick"), Mayfield, and John (A.I.F.). Brothers of deceased are: Henry (Merriwa), Robert (Coolah), Charles (Parramatta), Clarrie (Mer riwa), while Mrs. Taylor (Bertha), Barraba, and Mrs. H. Bridger (May, Victoria, are sisters. One brother, Wil fred, was killed in action during the

1914-18 War.

A tribute to the esteem in which the late Mr. Witney was held was eviden ced by the large attendance of mourn ers at the funeral. Holy Trinity Church, where the first portion of the burial service was held, was filled to overflowing. Among those present was Rev. M C. Brown, B.A., one-time Rec tor of Merriwa, who made a spccial trip, together with Mrs. Brown, from Maitland to be present, and at the in vitation of the Rector (Rev. S.. V. Satchell), the former assisted at the service and spoke in eulogistic terms of the life of deceased.

The favorite hymn of deceased, "Nearer My God to Thee, " was sung and a very impressive service con cluded with the "Nunc Dimittus," Mrs. E. Potts presiding at the organ.

The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the general cemetery, where the Rector officiated, assisted by Rev. M. C. Brown, in the presence of a large gathering of mourners.