This week in 1919: October 30

DEATH OF MR. JOHN COOPER ROCKLIFF.

AN ESTIMABLE GENTLEMAN PASSES.

A wave of very deepest regret passed over a wide district on Thursday morning last when it became known that Mr J. C. Rockliff, of “’Melrose”’ Numurkah, had passed away suddenly about 4 o’clock that morning.

The deceased gentleman was one of the best known figures in the Valley, and on all sides he was highly esteemed for his undeviating honesty of purpose, his sympathetic nature, and a dry humour that robbed many a caustic comment of its sting.

Born in Chudleigh. Tasmania, 67 years ago, John Cooper Rockliff came to Victoria about 46 years go, and accepted work felling timber at Toolamba for Mr Craven, at the time when that district was just being opened up. Mr Craven took a delight in boasting that young Rockliff was the best man with the axe that he had ever employed, and the boast was justified, for Mr Rockliff was a sturdy young fellow, and even just before his death was possessed of a muscular, vigorous frame. After three years “bush-whacking,” John Rockliff and his brother Reuben came to the Numurkah district, where they selected the property on which “Melrose” now stands.

A trip to Benalla by the brothers, where their application for 640 acres was successful, preceeded a term as partners, but a couple of years later each took up 320 acres on his own account. John some eight years later purchased Reuben’s property, and retained it ever since.

About 1883 Mr Rockliff married Miss Eliza Hall (whose father was an old settler in Tasmania), and from this union there still survives three daughters—Leila (Mrs K. Pearn;, Ethel (also Mrs Pearn), and Florence (Mrs Frank Thornton; —and one son (Mr Clem Rockliff). 

A Good Suggestion—A suggestion that we are sure would be given effect to if placed promptly before the authorities was made us yesterday.

Owing to in the dry season many many farmers are faced with the problem of what to do with (in many cases) their meagre crops. A great number of these would be cut for hay in ordinary circumstances, on account of the high price that commodity is bringing just now, but if this were done many farm ers would be at a loss for seed wheal for next sowing season.

The suggestion made is that those farmers who have wheat in the wheat pool should be allowed to re-claim sufficient to meet their wants for next season at the price they have been paid for it, plus the expenses the Government has been put to in storing the wheat, etc The proposal seems a perfectly reasonable one, but if anything is to be done it must be done quickly, in order that farmers will know exactly what to do with their crops this season.

Rlchmond House.—Richmond house, Swan-street, Richmond, was recently opened by General Brand, C.B., D.S.O., as a hostel for returned soldiers and sailors.

It has been organised by the Returned Soldiers’ Committee of the Presbyterian Church for the purpose of providing accommodation for soldiers whose homes are in the country and who are detained in Melbourne either for out-patient treatment or on repatriation business. Richmond House provides accommodation for upwards of 70 men; it has been furnished comfortably, and a returned soldier, Staff-Sergt. Kingsford, with his wife, manages the hostel. Bed and breakfast can be obtained for 2/6. The building has only lately been thoroughly renovated, and it will be found to offer suitable accommodation to soldiers in the City, the locality being handy to Melbourne. 

Mechanics’ Pictures. — For years the name of “Caruso” has signified the very best in singing, and it is a quite natural desire to see and hear the great artist. Unfortunately the journey to New York and a visit to the famous opera house, the “Metropolitan,” would prove too expensive for most of us. Such is the marvel of the screen, however, that we are able to see these famous men as they appear in their work and at their play. In “My Cousin” there is a series of scenes in which Caruso is shown singing in his best role, “Pagliacci.” Much of the famous tenor’s life history is given in this beautiful love story.

To celebrate the State Library of Victoria’s digitising of the war years editions of the Numurkah Leader, each week we will include the news of the week, 100 years ago.

To view these editions online go to trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/591.