Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954) Fri 14 Jun 193552337

OBITUARY.
Mr. Arthur Payne Skurray, 89, who
died recently at the Hutchinson hos-
pital, Gawler, was born in England
and came to South Australia when, he
was five years old with his mother,
two brothers and a sister, in the ship
Amur in 1851. His father had ar-
rived two years earlier with two- older
sons, in the ship Calcutta. The eldest
son, John, remained in England. Mr.
Arthur Skurray was the youngest and
last of the family of the late Mr. and
Mrs. C. F. Skurray. Settling first at
Adelaide, the family lived there for a
time and then moved lo Mt. Barker,
and from there as a youth Mr. Skur
ray came to Gawler and learned the
trade of blacksmith and wheelwright
at the machine shop of the late Mr.
T. J. Mankey, afterwards setting up
on his own account in Gawler, where
he remained for 30 years. During
Mr. Skurray's residence he used to
go out on shooting trips. He was an
efficient marksman. Fishing was an
other of his favorite sports. From
Gawler the family went to Cockatoo
Valley. Mr. Skurray put up a shop
on the main road and continued in
this business for 40 years. A wind
mill made by him was exhibited at the
Gawler Show. He had natural musi-
cal ability, and played for dances af
parties both in Gawler and later at
Cockatoo Valley. He made his own
musical instrument, the Dulcimer, and
when over 80 years played music at
the 21st birthday party of Miss Kath-
leen Skurray of Wasleys, one of his
granddaughters. Mr. Skurray mar-
ried Martha Jane Barter, who also
was born in England, and was the
youngest daughter of the late Mr.
and Mrs. J. C. Barter; she died seven
years ago, as did two daughters. The
surviving members of the family are
Mesdames E. Dunstan (Cockatoo Val-
ley), J. W. Taplin (Glenelg), W.
Teusner (Port Pirie), and W. Hinton
(Quorn), and sons W. A. Skurray
(Wasleys), G. H. Skurray (North
Gawler), Alfred Skurray (Croydon),
and Clement Skurray -Cockatoo Val
ley). There are several grandchildren
and three great grandchildren.
The community in general and Gaw
ler West Methodist circuit in particu
lar has been moved by the tragically
sudden death of the Rev. Frank
Evans, who was killed in a collision
on the Adelaide Hills. Landing from
his ship in Port Pirie penniless a few
brief years ago, this young English
man sought work at the smelters but
was under age. He tramped toward
Adelaide and on the way was given a
lift on a motorbike. The owner took
to the likeable lad and offered him a
£1 note. Frank Evans would only
accept it as a loan, and the first pay
he earned saw the £1 posted to this
new friend. He won his way upward,
distinguished himself at Wesley Col
lege, and on the death of the Rev.
Ray Rooney was selected to fill the
gap at Gawler West, till Conference
met. The Conference gave him Ka-
roonda as a first appointment. He had
only fairly begun here when the un-
happy accident cut short his promising
ministry. On the suggestion of the
Rev. D. T. Reddin the congregation
at Gawler West stood in silent tribute
last Sunday night.