Obituary

MR. JOHN RAE.

The very last living link coupling the present with the very early colonial days was snapped yesterday by the death of Mr. John Rae. Mr. Rae was born in Aberdeen two years before the battle of Waterloo. He came to Sydney fifteen years before the establishment of constitutional government.

He was appointed one of the Commissioners to supersede the corporation of this City In 1854.

He was Under-Secretary for Works and Commissioner for Railways in 1861; and, less than a year ago he was walking about amongst us clear-headed as ever, active beyond belief, and destined, it seemed, to last a few years yet. His is a very remarkable instance of desirable longevity, mind holding well to body up to the last gasp.

The service he rendered to the colony was in many ways notable. He was a scholar, sound and thorough, such as they turn out of the old Marischal College, but with all that weight of learning, he had ever a kindly, artistic vein.

He was the patron and friend of many of our earliest artists, in the days when Government assistance was unknown: and he maintained his love of art throughout life.

In all his public work he was laborious, accurate, and absolutely just.

All through, one of those who brought the leaven of the good life to the colony in the days when it was sorely needed, and who continued a constant, though unostentatious, influence for good until the end.

Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) 16 July 1900: 4. Web. 28 Feb 2020