The grim reaper is still busy in our midst, and is claiming for his own not only those who in the course of nature are at their journey's end, but some of our young and stalwart sons of the soil.
Mr. John Murphy, whose demise was referred to last week, was only 40 years of age. He was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and came to this colony eighteen years ago, and was followed shortly afterwards by his parents and other members of the family.
During those eighteen years he resided at North Richmond, where he had an orchard, and he was for several years a Government contractor in a large way. Of late years, however, he had done little road work, confining his attention principally to his orchard.
Three years ago he married, and went on a trip to West Australia, where, at Fremantle, two of his brothers, Messrs. Peter and Martin Murphy, have one of the finest and best conducted hotels in the west. It is known as the "Newcastle Club Hotel", and there the two brothers have for some years been successful men of business.
John Murphy - who was a son of Mr. James Murphy, a successful orchardist still living at North Richmond - came back from West Australia about twelve months ago.
He suffered a good deal from an internal complaint, but no alarming symptoms were apparent till about two weeks before he died; in fact he treated his illness lightly, and being stout of heart and sanguine of temperament, he was looking forward to complete restoration to health. But it was ordained otherwise, and he passed away on Wednesday of last week, leaving a sorrowing wife with two little ones to mourn for him. His youngest child was born only two weeks before he died. The deepest sympathy is expressed for the widow, the parents, and the brothers.
There were few in the district who did not know the genial, good-hearted John Murphy. He was a general favourite with all, and the whole family are held in the highest respect.
His remains were interred in the R. C. cemetery at Windsor on Thursday. The Rev. Father O'Brien, of Richmond, conducted the solemn burial, and Mr. Arthur Price carried out the funeral arrangements. To the sorrowing relatives, the Gazette offers its tribute of sympathy.