Edward James Gill (1866 - 1952)

WOODVILLE.

On Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock a very pretty wedding took place in All Saints' Church, the contracting parties being Mr. J. E. Gill (Manning River) and Miss Sarah Jane Newton, eldest daughter of Mr. D. Newton (Woodville). The Rev. A. C. Thomas officiated. Notwithstanding the unpleasantness of the day, the church was well filled with relatives and friends. The bride, who was given away by her father, was tastefully attired in pure white silk beautifully trimmed with soft white lace and orange blossoms, gigot sleeves, and a slight train. A wreath of orange blossoms and tulle veil were also worn — the veil being handsomely embroidered in the four corners.

The fair bride looked lovely as she entered the church, carrying a pretty shower bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids (four sisters of the bride) looked very pretty in cream nuns' veiling. The two elder sisters' dresses were slightly trimmed with pale blue silk, with hats to match; the younger sisters wore pretty cream and buttercup dresses and plain white sailor hats. Each bridesmaid carried a very pretty bouquet, and the two elder wore gold bar brooches, gifts of the bridegroom. After the ceremony was performed the wedding party left the church amid showers of rice, and arrived at the residence of the bride's parents at about half-past three, where a sumptuous breakfast awaited them.

Immediately after the breakfast the happy couple left en route for the Manning, where, we trust, very many happy and prosperous years will be spent. The wedding presents were very numerous and beautiful, amongst which I noticed a silver card-receiver from Mrs. J. Wynn, a silver cruet from Mr. and Mrs. W. Vollmer, silver tea spoons from Mr. and Mrs. F. Vollmer, silver table spoons from Mrs. J. Carter, silver teapot from Mr. Angus Mclnnes, silver jam spoon and butter knife from the Misses Graham, silver tray from Miss M. Gill, silver butter knife and pair of salt cellars from Misses Z. and A. Carter, Irish linen tray cloth from Mrs. Keith (Sydney), oil painting from Mr. W. Morrow (Newcastle), oil painting from Mrs. H. Lee (Sydney), fruit dish and silver butter knife from Mr. Waller, oil painting from Miss Elsie Newton, silver serviette rings from Miss Gill, pair of salt cellars (cut glass and silver) from Mrs. Doyle, morocco writing-case from Mr. R. Small, china tea set from Mr. and Mrs. A. McInnes, glass butter dish from Miss Alecia Carter, salad dishes from Mrs. Appleyard, linen tablecloth and serviettes from Misses Amy, and Elsie Newton, netted d'oyleys from Miss Alice Gill, folding album from Miss Anna Morrow, china butter basin from Mrs. C. Vollmer, glass cheese cover from Mrs. R. Carter, ornaments from Miss R. Vollmer, and a host of others too numerous to mention, but none the less beautiful and useful.

EQUITY.

(Before Mr. Justice Harvey.)

SISTER AND BROTHER.

Judgment was delivered in the suit in which Mary Louisa Gill asked for a declaration against Edward James Gill, her brother, that, by reason of, as she alleged, a breach by defendant of certain conditions mentioned in their father's will, he had forfeited his right and interest to certain property. It was claimed by plaintiff that her father, Arthur (sic) Gill, who died in April, 1908 (sic), bequeathed to defendant certain property at Dumaresqu Island, Manning River, and the farm and homestead thereon, on condition that he kept the homestead as a home, and provided board and lodging for her and her unmarried sisters, allowing them two separate bedrooms and a sitting-room, so long as they wished to reside there, and remained unmarried, and that he should not dispose of the homestead until she and her two sisters, Laura Amelia and Alice Ada, were married, or gave their sanction. She declared that, by reason of the condition of the rooms, she was compelled to leave the farm. The defendant denied the allegations in the statement of claim, and pleaded that before leaving the homestead plaintiff looked up the four rooms, of which she had possession, and which contained her furniture, and took the keys away with her.

His Honor said that, under all the circumstances, he thought he ought to make a declaration that the plaintiff was entitled, so long as she remained unmarried, to call upon the defendant to carry out the conditions imposed on him by the will. It did not appear that the defendant had, as yet, rendered it quite impossible to carry out the conditions of the will, though he had gone some way in that direction. His Honor held, therefore, that the plaintiff was not entitled to any compensation for any failure on the defendant's part to perform his obligations. Each party to pay its own costs. Mr. Maughan, K.O., and Mr. Weston (instructed by Messrs. Windeyer, Fawl, Williams, and Osborne) appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. R. H. L. Innes, K.C., and Mr. Cowan (instructed by Mr. David Cowan, of Taree, by his agents, Messrs. F. C. Petrie and Son) represented the defendant.

Obituary

EDWARD JAMES GILL

The death of Mr. E. J. Gill, as briefly reported in a previous issue, removes a veteran of Dumaresque Island and one of the Lower Manning's oldest and best known residents. Had Mr. Gill lived another two months he would have reached the age of 86, for he was born in Cundletown on 25th April, 1866. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gill, pioneers of Dumaresque Island, and except for a few years just after he was married, when he resided at Kolodong, he lived all his life on the Island.

Succeeding his father on the Island farm property Mr. Gill followed farming pursuits, but mixed it with veterinary work, for he was a certificated veterinarian, and over many years in this connection visited all parts of the Manning and neighbouring districts Mr. Gill was an acknowledged judge of horses and raised and owned some very good animals of the light and heavy breeds. Pure bred pigs, too, claimed his fancy, and these, with his horses he exhibited on many occasions at Taree and Wingham shows. He was a keen supporter of agricultural associations and, in fact, was one of Taree's staunchest committee members up till a few years ago, when failing health and activity following his breaking of a leg, brought about his retirement.

In appreciation of his many years of valued help—and in this was a great deal of voluntary work in the early days of the present show ground—Mr. Gill was made a life member of the Society, a gesture which he highly regarded. A good neighbour and friend this gentleman had a helping hand to extend when ever needed and his many kindly acts in these directions will not readily be forgotten.

Deceased left two daughters, Myra, well known locally as a nurse, and Muriel, (Mrs. Lewis) of Caringbah, young child following a (nonsensical text in original article) as a young child following a burning accident and one daughter at infancy. On the death of her mother, eight years ago, Myra left her profession and undertook the management of the home and care of her father.

One sister, Florence (Mrs. Walker), of Cremorne, and one brother David, of Kolodong, survive. Deceased sisters and brothers of the late Mr. Gill were: Margaret (Mrs. Cowan), Susie (Mrs. King), Esther (Mrs. Thos.Newton), Mary, Laura, Alice (Mrs. Carpenter) and Henry and Andrew.