Children of Ann and Robert Andrew Mather

SHOOBRIDGE—On October 22, Ann Benson, the beloved wife of W. E. Shoobridge, passed peacefully away. Beloved by all who knew her. The Funeral will leave Hawthorn Lodge at 2.30 on Sunday After- noon, October 24. Melbourne and Sydney papers please copy.

SARAH BENSON MATHER,

Daughter of Robert Andrew and Ann Mather of Hobart Town, Tasmania.

The circumstances attending the removal, at the age of twenty-eight, of this sweet-spirited young Christian are full of instruction, and may be blessed beyond the circle of her relatives and friends, amongst whom she was truly and tenderly beloved. For some years she had been under engagement of marriage to Edward O. Cotton, of Kelvedon, Tasmania, and after long waiting the time for its accomplishment seemed at hand. Accompanied by one of her cousins, she had paid a visit to some of her friends, and seen the new home at the Bend; but on returning to her parents at Hobart Town after a day a night's travel, and part of the way over rough roads, she complained of fatigue, and seemed poorly. Medical advice was called in, and it proved to be typhoid fever. She became rapidly worse, and fell a victim to the disease; but death had no terrors for her. Her father describes her state of mind as follows:

"Sarah's lips were filled with praises and thanksgiving. Her language was, 'Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits.' In her last hours she was engaged in exhorting to earnest work for Jesus; bidding us not to rest one upon another; not to look to this one or to that one, but to look only to Jesus." Her mother said to her,—"Dear Sarah, Jesus is near to thee now:"—"yes!" she said, "His presence fills the room," and she looked about with bright wide open eyes, as if unconscious of all beneath. She called loudly twice or thrice, "where are the sons of Tasmania?" and added, "go and work for Jesus:—Oh! that there were two or three real earnest Christians, what could they not do?" She exhorted her brothers and all to work for Jesus, but not to rest in that as sufficient. She was earnestly engaged in supplication, showing how her heart and soul were exercised on behalf of many; and for one especially, that he might be pardoned and forgiven. She was much concerned for her parents, her brothers and her friends; but especially was she drawn out for her Edward, that he might be sustained and comforted, and be drawn nearer and nearer to Jesus. It was a precious time. Many hearts in close sympathy were earnestly engaged in prayer for her and for us; and wonderfully have we been sustained and comforted with the assurance of our Saviour's unchanging love! We know it is Our Father, who has kindly and without much apparent suffering, called her to Himself."

Her intended husband, writing to his father on the evening of her release, touchingly says, "The marriage is solemnized, but I am not the bridegroom:"—and to an intimate friend the next day,—"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, and we rejoice accordingly." The visit of the three Friends, who formed the deputation from London Yearly Meeting to the Australian Colonies, had been looked to, as the time for the marriage. They were in Hobart Town when she died, and joined the company of relatives and friends assembled at her funeral, bringing home the solemn lesson of the day to those present. One who expected to have been a brother-in-law, wrote the following verses, on a text that had given them all much comfort, and who was with them, when her spirit took its flight at early cock crowing on the morning of the 12th of Third month, 1875.

"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."  John xi. 4.

 

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Not unto death, this sickness?—yet, fair sister,

Have we not laid thee in the silent tomb?

Did we not witness all,—that quiet parting

In that dim chamber, in that midnight gloom?

 

What though fond home found strength 'mid wearing waiting,

Found light and strength in many a mis-spelt sign!

Resigned, but still reluctant,—sad, but hopeful,—

Could we refuse to own that death was thine?

 

Yes, death was thine! that death each weary mortal

Must know and feel, since Adam's doom we share;

But though with thee we pressed the grave's dark portal,

No king of terror claimed a victory there.

 

We wept, 'tis true,—it is a place for weeping,—

The Saviour wept at Lazarus' early tomb:

He wept with kindred grief for kindred sorrow,

Mid death's own darkness, earth's sad parting gloom.

 

God and yet man, He knew the blissful resting

Of ransomed spirits on the heavenly shore:

Yet, for sad sisters' sakes and blind repining,

Brought the freed soul to life—to death—once more.

 

Ah! not to death, but life, dear treasured sister!

One final farewell thine, to die no more:

No second parting, no return of weeping,—

One fond enfold of love on Canaan's shore.

 

Mute, calm and firm, amid the gathering silence,

No waving pinion stirred the taper's flame.

What mystic presence, strong but still, sustained thee?

Whose touch irradiant only, showed they came?

They came, and lingering went; but why so lofty

Lifted the gates to let one Spirit through?

What burst of glory swept the pearl-bound entrance?

What face turned earthward as the first cock crew?

 

Thus ask we, with not dark but dim conjecture;

Faith still is ours, but thine fair glory's light:—

The glory not thine own, but all thy Saviour's,—

A Regal Bridegroom's guest in robes of white!

 

Sister, farewell! farewell!—but not for ever,

No end of darkness bounds our forward sight:

We turn from thy pale death-bed, sad but hopeful,—

Above, and all around us, "There is light."

 

We earthward turn, for duty claims its labour,

But light and hope shall gild our future way:

Thy sickness, not to death but God's own glory,

Calls through the years in Him to watch and pray.

 

Praying and watching, working, onward pressing,

Pressing to victory, onward, upward still!

"Come up, My people, hither!" peals the mandate

In tones of strength, on that all-glorious hill.

J. B. C.

ANDREW MATHER AND CO.

EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

Hobartians have long been familiar with the old and honourable name of Mather. First came Mr. Robert Andrew Mather, then the citizens became familiar with Messrs. Robert and Thomas B. Mather, his sons. Each of them has stood before his fellow-citizens as " a Bayard, without fear and without reproach," yet ever enter-prising and progressive, displaying also a benevolent disposition. This is a great deal to say in these fin de siecle, degenerate days in many phases of trade, but of the Mather's it can be said, with truth, and without its being characterised as either the " puff direct" or the " puff oblique." It is also gratifying to note that with long and honourable dealing the business in Liverpool-street has gradually increased in dimensions. It was established by Mr. Robert Andrew Mather in 1849, and is now carried on under the old style of Andrew Mather & Co. by Mr. Robert Mather and Mr. W.B. Scott. Mr. Scott was taken into partnership some three years ago, and steadily, as the concern has developed, additions have been made to the length and breadth of the premises, and to the quantity and variety of goods stocked and dealt in. Lately further extensions have been made. The cart road at the side which used to form a right-of-way between the shop and the Bible Depot has been taken in, thereby extending the width of the shop and the fine plate-glass window to the right of the entrance, very considerably. This alteration has also permitted of an apartment being furnished as a front shop office, whilst the counting house is relegated to the rear of the building. The shop properly so called, into which the customers enter from the street, has been so much increased in size that it now undoubtedly forms the largest and most imposing drapery saloon (if one may use the term) in Hobart, being 144ft. long by 48ft. wide, and when lighted up after nightfall, with its lengthy vista of lights, one is reminded of the interiors of some of the magnificent drapery establishments in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and other large towns in the old country. Such a draper's shop is certainly a credit to Hobart, and stimulates one to say Floriat Hobartia! No other line of business so well lends itself to artistic colouring, arrangement and effect as that of the general draper, and when well ordered, with all the gay colours and gradations of colour, and all kinds of dress materials, diaphanous goods, ribbons, frills, and a hundred and one other pretty things are disposed in bright array, and with a good eye to the best effect, and the whole illuminated with long lines of brilliant lights, it is a veritable cave of Aladdin in "soft goods."

The alterations now made at the establishment under notice, in addition to giving increased room for displays of drapery, millinery, mantles, and other goods, in great variety, permit of new fitting rooms with a waiting room en suite being arranged and furnished on the first floor. One of the fitting rooms is so constructed that the greatest possible amount of sunlight can be obtained in the apartment by the aid of skylights, whilst it may also be so darkened in the middle of the day as to permit of ladies seeing the effect of their new costumes, when donned, by gaslight as well, which is an important desideratum. Many alterations and improvements in fittings and fixtures have been made. The "cash railway" system has had to make place for Lamson's new patent rapid wire-shooting system, which would seem to be the height of inventiveness in this direction. The cash carrier, instead of being a spherical article travelling to and fro along parallel lines of wooden rails, is a handier kind of box, which is shot along a wire from the different counters to the cashier with great rapidity, and he as rapidly shoots it back again, and thus the system is fully twice as rapid as the old one.

Moving with the times, too, the firm has improved the system of lighting throughout the premises. New carbon burners have been introduced, which not only make gas an infinitely better illuminant, but is calculated to reduce the gas bill (as Messrs. Andrew Mather & Co. have found out) by just 50 per cent.

After a tour of the workrooms, it is gratifying to record that they are spacious, having good ventilation, and the comfort and convenience of the many young women employed are apparently well studied. New Singer and Wertheim machines have been introduced. There is here a millinery department under the management of one of the best milliners the firm can procure ; another department for costume and dressmaking generally, and a third for jacket and mantle making work, etc., the head dressmaker having credentials of the highest character for style and experience in the very best branches of her business. In the dressmaking branch estimates are given, so that ladies may know exactly what a costume will cost when completed, and under no circumstances will the amount be exceeded. This is certainly an innovation which paterfamilias, at all events, will appreciate, for those vexatious little " extras " cause many heartburnings after the dresses have come home. Altogether this seems to be one of the most complete dressmaking establishments in the colony.

Coincident with the alterations and extensions above alluded to, Messrs. Andrew Mather & Co. will on Monday make a grand opening show of the new season's goods in trimmed French and English millinery, costumes, and general dress materials. From several points of view this promises to be a more than ordinarily interesting one. Such is the edict just issued by the mysterious arbiter elegantiarum, whose abode no one knows but whose command everybody more or less obeys, that there is about to be a considerable change in the fashions. What has up to lately been en règle will now quickly become de trop, and the firm has obtained the latest things in the latest fashions, imported direct from London. They also make their linen, woollen and general Manchester goods a speciality, and new and special lines of these goods at very low prices will be forth-coming, the whole calculated to be a grand and effective opening to the enlarged premises, The new window on one side of the shop will be used exclusively for a display of Manchester goods. Let us hope that the sales they will effect and the general business they will do, will be commensurate with the enterprise they are displaying, and the extensive stock of goods they have imported.

DEATH OF MR. ROBERT MATHER

We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Robt. Mather (principal of the firm of Andrew Mather and Co., drapers, Liverpool-street), whose demise occurred at his residence, Iwanora, Murray-street, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Mather, who had entered into his 66th year, took to his bed yesterday week, suffering at the time from influenza. Acute symptoms set in on Saturday night, and he passed away at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Mather was born in 1847, and was educated at the Friends' High School, afterwards attending Mr. H.M. Pike's scholastic establishment. When he finished school he entered into the employment of his father (the late Robt. Andrew Mather), and went to Melbourne in 1871 for 18 months to gain experience in the trade. On returning to Hobart he again entered the employment of his father, and was admitted a partner in 1877. He had entire control of the business. He married in 1874 Miss Fisher, daughter of the late Captain William Fisher, at Hobart, and leaves a family of four daughters and three sons. Two sons, Messrs. Raymond Mather and Robt. Andrew Mather, are at present in the drapery business, which is carried on in Liverpool-street, and the eldest son, Mr. Oswald Mather, is in business at Franklin. Deceased was a member of the committee of the Friends' High School, and was also one of the trustees of the Tasmanian Temperance Alliance, and a member of the committee of the Consumptive Sanatorium, of which he was a chairman for some time. He also took a great interest in the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, which is now defunct. In the year 1849 Mr. Mather's father started business in the same premises in which it is now carried on. Deceased was a member of the Society of Friends. The funeral is to take place to-morrow morning.

OBITUARY

MR. THOMAS B. MATHER.

The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Thomas B. Mather, who for a number of years had been prominently identified with charitable and philanthropic work in the city. The deceased, who was in his 75th year, and a native of Hobart, was a son of the later Mr. Robert Andrew Mather, founder of the well-known city firm of Andrew Mather and Co. He retired from business life about 20 years ago, and up to the time of his death he devoted practically all his time and energy to the several philanthropic institutions with which he was connected. He was chairman of the Hobart Benevolent Society since 188[0?], and it is interesting to recall the fact that this worthy organisation was founded by his father, who previous to him occupied the position of chairman. For the past 35 years he had acted as secretary of the Homaeopathic Hospital, and up to the time of his death he was chairman of governors of the Kennerley Boys' Home. He was also prominently connected with the Society of Friends, holding the position of registrar of meetings. He took a keen interest in the Friends' High School, and was treasurer of the managing committee from its inception to about twelve months ago. His wife died several years ago. He had no family. Mr. Andrew Mather and Mr. Robert Mather, of Andrew Mather and Co., are nephews.

The funeral will arrive at Cornelian Bay cemetery at 11.30 a.m. to-day.

On the north west, by ten chains and forty links north easterly along Queen Street, commencing at the angle thereof with Elizabeth Street, on the north east, by three chains and seventy seven links south easterly along Argyle Street, on the south east, by five chains and ninety links south westerly along allotments occupied by or belonging to M^r Williams and Thomas Mullen respectively on the east, by seventeen links southerly also along the last mentioned allotments, again on the south east by four chains south westerly also along the last mentioned allotment (crossing a small stream) to Elizabeth Street, aforesaid and thence on the south west by three chains and eighty links north westerly along that street (recrossing the before-mentioned small stream) to the point of commencement