Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Monday 22 October 1900, page 5


DEATH OF MR. H. Y. SPARKS.

A great sensation was caused at Glenelg on Sunday when it became known that Mr. H. Y. Sparks, one of its best known and most popular residents, had passed away

during the night. To all appearance Mr. Sparks had been pursuing his ordinary avo cations in the best of health, and although he had consulted Dr. Verco on Saturday morning he had been about for the rest of the day and evening. He was believed to be suffering from a slight attack of in fluenza, so that it came us a terrible shock to his wife on going to her husband's room about 9 o'clock in the morning to find him dead. Dr. Giles was called in, and later in the day Dr. Verco, from Ade laide, and although there was nothing at all suspicious in the appearance of deceased Dr. Verco decided before a certificate could be given that a post-mortem examination would be necessary. This will take place this morning. Mr. Henry Yorke Sparks was born of English parents in Monte Video during the prolonged blockade of that town. His father, a Liverpool mer chant, settled in Monte Video, suffered from the disasters of that epoch, and char tered the Barnard to proceed to South-Australia with his young family. Mr. Sparks arrived in Adelaide as a boy in 1852, and joined the school which had just been opened by Mr. John Whinham, the fourth master of St. Peter's College. After carry ing off for two successive years the lead ing honors in classics and mathematics, he entered the office of Sir John Morphett, and in time those of the Bank of South Australia, Elder, Smith, & Co., and the Mortgage Company of South Australia, in the latter of which he filled the office of manager since its foundation in 1880. On June 26, 1894, he was appointed manager of the South Australian Company, in suc cession to Mr. W. J. Brind, and held that position up to the time of his death. He also filled the positions at various times of director of the Executor, Trustee, and Agency Company, director of the Glenelg Railway Company, chairman of the City Land Company, member of the Adelaide Society of Accountants, and was a life member of the South Australian Cricketing Association, the Adelaide Rowing Club, and the Glenelg Oval Association. From boyhood he evinced an unflagging interest in athletics, and was the founder of the Adelaide Oval, the Ade laide Amateur Athletic Club, and the Glenelg Oval. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Glenelg, of which place he has been a resident for many years. He was an en thusiastic amateur gardener. Mr. Sparks was in his 56th year, and leaves a widow and five daughters.