Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Monday 27 October 1924, page 11


OBITUARY.

Mr. William Laidlaw Davidson, whose death after a long illness occurred on Saturday at his residence, Robe-terrace, Medindie, came of a well-known Border

Scottish family, to whom the growth of the Scottish woollen industry is largely due, and whose branches spread to Aus-tralia, New Zealand, Canada and Ame rica in tbe same pursuit. His grand-father was responsible for the erection of the first power woollen mill in Galashiels, and afterwards founded the settlement of Galt in Ontario, Canada. Another relation was the architect who built .Sir Walter Scott's beautiful home, Abbots-. ford. Mr. W. L. Davidson was born in London, but owing to his father's early death, decided to come to Australia, arri ving by the sailing ship Orient in 1873. He joined the firm of E. S. Wigg & Son, and was in partnership with Mr. Edward Neale for many years. With him he was interested in the early mining develop-ment of Broken Hill, Coolgardie and Kal-goorlie. With his brother, Mr. Thomas Davidson, he took part in the early agri-cultural and pastoral settlement of South ern Yorke Peninsula, where, before the use of superphosphates, much hard toil was poorly rewarded. After dissolving partnership with Mr.Neale he became managing director of E. S. Wigg & Son., where his mechanical bent had full play in the founding of the factories in Ade-laide and Perth. He was a great lover of oil paintings, and besides having one of the finest private collections in South Australia, was one of the first to appreci-ate Hans Heysen's talent, and proposed the syndicate which sent him to Europe to study. He left a widow, eldest daugh ter of Mr. Edgar Smith Wigg, and three sons. Mr. John Sunstan, a former mayor o Broken Hill, died at thai, place on Satur day morning, aged 73. Born in Cornwall. Mr. Dot-stan came to Australia as a baby with his parents. In his early manhood he took an active part in the publi. life of Burra, holding the office of mayor, and Serving ou the Hospital Board, and as a member of the School Board of-A.! vice. He was prominent in church w__ and was a local preacher. Hemras a. member of the firm of Sara & Docs — railway and general contractors, who built a great number of railway stattous and -?bridges, including the ??—>—jj__ goods—led and the Burra State School. They .also constructed Corny Point light house and the Gladstone Gaol. Mr. Dun si—n was at one time coroner for Burr-He had retired, and was living at Chats wood, Sydney, and was on a visit to Broken Hill at tbe time of fcis death. Mr. G. -T. Comley, of. Henry-street, Croydon, died at his residence on Satur day. He was born at Ovingham 42 years ago. Since living at Croydon he had been closely _-sot—.ted with a number of - the town's activities. He was also interested in friendly societies' work, being a past officer 6T tbe Free ——"denerrr? and Man chester * Unity lodges at Hindmareh. When Lady Weigali inaugurated the scheme for" a children's playground at t Hindmarsh he was appointed secretary, | his organi—ing abilities contributing modi .; to" the success of the "J. M. -—id" ?hil | di—i's playground and the erection _f the jbahd -staird on the Port-road, Hindmarsh. {He also took a prominent part in estab lishing a volunteer motor ambulance at Hindmargh, and had been hon. secretary Ito the tire brigade and ambulance for She j past three years. For over 1? y<*_——_e < was' employed as a clerk in the B—ilway 1 Department. He leaves a widow aad one I daughter.