Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Thursday 1 September 1938, page 18


FORMER SHERIFF DIES, AGED 80

Mr. O. Schomburgk's Career

At the age of 80 years, Mr. Otto Schomburgk, who retired 10 years ago from the posts of Sheriff, Controller of Labor Prisons and Chief Probation

Officer, died early this morning at his home in Grove street, Unley Park. Dur-ing nearly 55 years in the Civil Ser-vice. Mr. Schomburgk served with dis-tinction in a number of important offices such as Federal and State Elec-toral Officer. Mr. Schomburgk's father, the late Dr. Richard Schomburgk, was for many years Director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Born on September 30, 1857, at Buchs-felde, near Gawler, Mr. Schomburgk was educated at St. Peter's College. He joined the Engineer-in-Chief's staff as a cadet in 1874. After experience to various other departments he became Deputy Sheriff in 1892 and Sheriff and Controller of Prisoners 11 years later. Mr. Schomburgk was associated with the Supreme Court staff for 46 years, hold-ing many posts such as those of Marshal in Admiralty Jurisdiction and Deputy Marshal, High Court of Australia. Dur-ing the war be acted as Censor. Quick in making decisions, Mr. Schomburgk combined tact and discre-tion with great administrative ability. Although noted for his firm handling of prisoners, he was always ready to help them to rehabilitate themselves. When he first became Sheriff, it was no un-common thing to see many of the priso-ners in irons. Whenever possible, Mr. Schomburgk saw that these were re-moved. Mr. Schomburgk joined A Battery of the Field Artillery of South Australia as a gunner in 1879, and 11 years later be-came major and commander of the bat-tery. Mr. Schomburgk was a member of the Masonic fraternity, his mother lodge being the United Tradesmen's No. 4, E.C., and he was a past master of that lodge. He was a member of local racing clubs. Mr. Schomburgk was always proud of the fact that he was a nephew of Sir Robert Schomburgk, noted traveller, scientist, and consul, who led a Royal Geographical Society expedition which explored unknown parts of the interior of Guiana about 1840. Mr. Schomburgk married Ada Louise, daughter of the late Henry Downer, S.M. and a member of Parliament. There are three children, Mr. R. Schom-burgk, Mrs. J. G. Howard, of Stirling, and Mrs. Curwen of Windermere, England.