Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940) Thursday 10 August 19163565

OBITUARY.
MR. W. H. WHEATLEY.
The sad news was received in Goulburn on
Wednesday morning that Mr. W. H. Wheatley,
auctioneer, and a prominent citizen, had died
shortly before midnight on Tuesday in Wootton
Private Hospital, Darlinghurst, from pneu-
monia, some months age Mr. Wheatley was
in bad health, and acting under medical ad-
vice, he took a sea trip with his wife to West-
ern Australia. He returned somewhat im-
proved in health, but still suffered from sleep-
lessness, and was under medical treatment for
his heart. The recent cold weather did not
agree with him, and the doctor advised his de-
parture to a warmer climate. He left for Syd-
ney on last Tuesday week apparently in fair
health. He caught a cold, and pneumonia de-
veloped. He was admitted by Dr. Rennie, of
Sydney, who was attending him, into the pri-
vate hospital. On Tuesday morning he became
comatose, and the family in Goulburn were
sent for. They left by train that night, but
he died before they arrived.
Mr. Wheatley was 61 years of age. He was
born at Collector, and was a son
of the late Mr. Henry Charles Wheatley.
In early life he followed pastoral pursuits, and
for some time conducted an auctioneering busi-
ness in Gunning. About 1897 he came to Goul-
burn, and under his able management the busi-
ness soon established itself in a large way. Bran-
ches were opened at Wagga and other places,
and their sales of stock during a year amounted
to large figures.
Mr. Wheatley's first wife died about three
years ago, and about twelve months back he
married Miss Woodward, of Collector, and she
survives him. Deceased had a family of eight,
five sons and three daughters, Albert, Leslie,
Aubrey, Mrs. William Charles Bladwell, Mrs.
Pope Cooper, Roy, Alathea, and Wallace. The
last-named is a member of the A.I.F.
Mr. Wheatley's family were among the ear-
liest Methodists in this district, and he him-
self was an active member of the church. He
was a local preacher and a trustee of the Gold-
smith-street Church. He was also an ardent tee-
totaller, and held the office of president of
the Goulburn branch of the New South Wales
Alliance from its formation in 1907. He showed
his interest in the cause by subscribing most
liberally to the fund at each of the No License
polls under the 1907 Liquor Act. He also gave
workers full accommodation to carry on the
campaign, and the use of his motor car
to transport speakers to various centres in the
electorate. A few months ago he organised
a very large petition to the Minister for De-
fence to close hotels in military areas at six
o'clock. Before it was presented the Minister
had taken action, and the petition was pre-
sented as a recognition of that act. To do
this Mr. Wheatley undertook a journey to
Melbourne. He was one of the Sydney executive
of the Alliance. He was also a member of the local
Chamber of Commerce, and until recently the
monthly meetings were held in his office free
of charge. Mr. Wheatley was president of the
Country Stock and Agents' Association of New
South Wales and a member of the Council of
the Stock Owners' Association of New South
Wales. He was a vice-president of the Lib-
eral Assbciation of New South Wales, and was
present at its session last month. His purse
was always open to any worthly object, and he was
a large contributor to the various local pat-
riotic funds, having, amongst other things,
donated a valuable motor car for an art union
in aid of the Australia Day Fund. By his
death Goulburn has lost a citizen who can be
ill spared.
The body was brought to Goulburn by the
paper train this (Thursday) morning. A fune-
ral service will be held at 10 o'clock in Gold-
smith-street Church.
Before the stock sales commenced at the
Municipal Yards yesterday morning, Mr. O. H.
Furner, who opened the auctions, referred in
touching terms to the great loss the community
had sustained in Mr. Wheatley's death.