Death of Mr. B. S. Buck
A shock of genuine regret went through Devonport on Saturday morning, and later permeated the district, when it became known that Mr. Benjamin Simone Buck, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Buck, of Devonport, had passed away. The regret was intensified by the suddenness of the news, for Mr. Buck had been indisposed for about 3 weeks, there was apparently, nothing whatever to cause his friends the slightest anxiety, and no one was prepared for the news of his death. At first the unhappy intelligence was doubted, but it soon become known that it was, unfortunately, only too true, and flags were half-masted and other signs of mourning displayed at the various business places in the town. Deceased, who was 37 years of age, was born and educated at Devonport, and was widely and popularly known among those with whom he had passed his boyhood and grown into manhood, and the expressions of regret which were heard on all sides bore the unmistakable impress of genuineness. About 81/2 years ago deceased began a butchering business at Devonport, his energy and enterprise being rewarded by deserved success. As a sportsman, the late Mr. Buck was an enthusiast, and he was either a member or a supporter of everything connected with the development of the physical life of the young men about him. It was with rowing, perhaps, that he most closely identified himself, and the members of the local club have had much to thank him for in the direction of wise advice and practical financial assistance. As a footballer and cricketer, also, he was well and favourably known, earlier as a player, and lastly as a supporter. Twelve months go, in compliance with the expressed wish of a number of his friends, he sought election to the town board, and was returned at the top of the poll, an honour which showed the popularity and confidence with which the ratepayers regarded him. As a member of the board he was sound and clear, and his colleagues regarded him as a coming man and one the town could ill-afford to lose. Members felt his loss keenly, and the board meeting was adjourned out of respect to his memory until tomorrow. Deceased, who was a member of the Oddfellows’ lodge, leaves a widow and three daughters to mourn their loss, also a brother, Mr. W. G. Buck, of Stewart Street, his father and mother, and other relations. The trouble connected with his death had its origin in an accident some 12 months ago, when he was thrown from a horse, but the immediate cause of death was gastric influenza. Until Wednesday evening nothing serious was feared, but he then had a bad turn, from which, however, he made a slight recovery and his condition the next day was much improved. On Friday evening he had another attack, increasing in seriousness till Saturday morning, when he had two fits, dying in the second. The funeral took place on Sunday, when, despite steady rain just before the cortege started, there was a large attendance. The cortege was about three-quarters of a mile in length, some 400 persons forming the procession, which increased during the journey to the Don cemetery. Service was conducted at the house by the Rev. D. Brown prior to the funeral starting, and at the grave, where the Oddfellows’ ritual was also read. The town board, the North Western Football Association, the rowing club, regatta association and cricket and football clubs were represented. The floral tributes were numerous and very beautiful. Much surprise and regret was expressed on Saturday (writes our Ulverstone correspondent) at the receipt of the sad news of the death of Mr. Benjamin Buck, the well and favorably known Devonport butcher. The sad occurrence came as a shock to his very many friends here, and much sympathy is felt and expressed for his sorrowing relatives. Deceased was esteemed here, not alone in his business capacity, but also in his manly support of cricket, football, and aquatic sports, in which circles he will be greatly missed.A Great Gathering
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, there being an immense concourse of mourners. In consequence of the threatening state of the weather the greater portion of the religious service was conducted by the Rev. D. Brown in the courtyard at deceased’s residence. The funeral cortege was headed by over forty Oddfellows, and the hearse, containing a purple covered coffin, was completely hidden by floral tributes. Deceased’s favorite horse was led on one side of the hearse, and his employees marched on the other side. The pallbearers were Messrs. H. H. McFie, W. Innes, John Luck, W. F. Slater, H. Turner (members of the Town Board), and Mr. B. C. Greene (secretary). The numerous immediate relatives were followed by a large number on foot, together with over 30 vehicles, testifying eloquently to a general and sincere exhibition of respect. The mournful procession proceeded to the Don Cemetery, where the interment was made. The concluding portion of the religious service was observed, with the Oddfellow’s funeral oration, each member of the order placing a sprig of thyme in the grave.Mr. B. S. Buck’s New Butchery
Mr. B. S. Buck’s handsome block of new brick buildings in Rooke Street, West Devonport, is now receiving its finishing touches at the hands of the painters, and it certainly reflects much credit upon the spirited enterprise of the owner, as well as upon those entrusted with the erection of the buildings, for they are unquestionably the finest block in the town. The block comprises three shops and dwellings, the centre one being occupied by Mr. Buck and those on either side by Mr. Carroll’s saddlery establishment and a grocery business. These are each provided with a fine, roomy shop and dining room on the ground floor, and with four fine rooms on the first floor, with the usual modern conveniences of well-appointed buildings. Mr. Buck had gone to great pains to have his meat mart equipped with all the latest improvements, and it will compare more than favourably with any similar establishment in the state. The shop is 21ft x 19ft, with lofty walls, covered to within 4ft of the floor with opaline tiles. These are of the size of a brick, and are placed on the wall in imitation of brickwork, but they have a highly polished surface, like glass, so that they may be kept perfectly clean without much trouble. A cement dado runs round the bottom portion of the wall. The ceiling, which has been much admired, is composed of embossed zinc, the pattern being very neat and suitable, and is well set off by the enriched cornice and centre flower, also of the same material. The fittings of the shop include burnished steel meat rails and hooks, both in the windows and round the walls. One window is a plate glass; measuring 7ft x 9ft, and arrangements have been made for the play of cold water running down this, so as to assist in cooling of the shop. The windows are each fitted with slabs of white marble, as is also the handsome panelled pine counter. A striking feature of the fittings is the very fine gum block, 4ft 6in. in diameter, which was procured at Barrington. This stands upon four iron feet, and is worthy of inspection. The large handsome cast iron ventilators placed under the shop windows secure the very necessary supply of fresh air to the shop. Adjoining the shop is an office, with lavatory, and a small storeroom. At the rear of the shop is the sausage shop and corning room, a fine, commodious room, measuring 30ft x 14ft. and having a cement floor. This should, from its position, be both cool and dark, two very essential matters in the curing of meat. The private part of the building consists of a roomy kitchen and dining room on the ground floor, and upstairs there are a bathroom, two small bedrooms, a sitting room (14ft x 18 ft), a bedroom of the same size, and a drawing room (21ft x 20ft.), embellished with a handsome cornice and centre flower. A fine roomy corridor gives access to these rooms and there is also a well-fitted conservatory on this floor. In the yard we find a roomy five-stalled stable, with a brick floor and a loft capable of holding 16 tons of hay or straw, from whence hoppers are placed so as to allow of the mangers being easily filled. A dung pit of cemented brick is handy, and a cart shed (30 ft x 8 ft) will give accommodation for three vehicles. Adjoining this is the smokehouse, and across the yard are three copper boilers, two of which will be used in the manufacture of small goods, the other being for the house. A spacious covered-in right-of-way gives access from the street, and it is easily seen that comfort and durability have been the leading point in the preparation of the plans. The front elevation is in the modern style, and heavy cement cornices will well set-off the tuck-pointed brickwork. A veranda, with handsome cast iron columns and frieze, runs the whole length of the frontage, and still further adds to the appearance of the building. Mr. Buck will occupy the new premises from Wednesday, and in another column draws attention to the alteration in the hours in which his establishment will be open, beginning from February 1. We have no doubt the proprietor will continue to receive the patronage he deserves for his evident faith in the future of Devonport.Memorial Plaque
BUCK – On October 28, 1967, suddenly at her residence, 102 Abbott Street, Launceston, Vida Louisa, second daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Buck, of Devonport, loved sister of Daphne (Mrs. D. P. Ramsay), and Gladys (Mrs. B. C. Littler dec.). Private service and funeral.Mr. W. G. Buck, Devonport
One of the oldest residents of Devonport passed away last evening, in the person of William G. Buck. He was in his 77th year. Mr. Buck was born in Devonport or Formby as it was then called, and was a son of the late Mr. George Buck, who carried on farming at Don, and was also a brick maker in the early days. Mr. W. G. Buck in his young days went to the Pieman River to try his hand at mining. On returning to Devonport, he built a store in Stewart Street, on the site of Messrs. Thompson Bros. butchery, and it was the first house in that street. Later he built Buck’s Hall, at the bottom end of Stewart Street, which served until 1900 as a general meeting place. He erected a hairdressing saloon in front of the hall, and later moved his business across the street, selling out about 25 years ago to Mr. C. C. MacDougall. Mr. Buck then devoted his attention exclusively to his garden, of which he was very fond. He was a specialist in native flora, and at his residence at the corner of Stewart Street and Gunn Street he cultivated an arboretum, which was one of the show places for plant lovers in the town. He was keen in the production of vegetables, but took more interest in flowers, and roses were his hobby. He had numberless varieties, and was a lover of flowers, with rare skill in selecting and producing. In his young days he was a keen oarsman and also a yachtsman, and owned, amongst other craft, The Star and Comet. He was a widower, and leaves one daughter, Miss Iris Buck. Despite the infirmity of age, he continues working in his garden till the last, and of late years was seldom seen abroad.Mr. H. Stuart Dove writes: -
Many long country drives were undertaken years ago with the late Mr. Will. Buck, when he was able to get about and enjoy the air and scenery of the country. One of the best trips we had was to Erriba, several miles beyond Wilmot, and a great deal of it uphill. It was a long journey for a horse, but by dint of starting in the early morning and going at an easy pace, Jack (who was a staunch bit of horseflesh) managed it without any distress, and he had a good rest and feed while we were lunching under the protection of a fence. The trip back was much easier, and we reached Devonport just at dusk of a long summer’s day. Another whole-day drive was to Blythe River, a few miles east of Burnie, before it became a picnic and weekend resort, and when there was a good deal more bush about than is the case now. The day was very warm, and we boiled the billy and toasted the chops in the shade of a grove of young gums: while we were at dinner a party of honeyeaters came and sang together in the tree-tops, treating us to some of the sweetest music we had ever heard. It was one of those little incidents, which impress themselves upon the mind when bigger things are forgotten. Mr. Buck was of a genial nature, and one could not wish for a better companion on a long drive into country places. Coming to Formby as a young boy, and spending practically all his life in this district, he had many entertaining anecdotes concerning the early days of the settlement. As a lad he assisted his father in making the bricks for the large residence, “Lonah”, built in the English style, and situated at the hillside between Ulverstone and Penguin. The bricks were made from clay obtained from the hollow below where the house stands, and many thousands were made for the construction of the residence and stables. Mr. Buck told me that a pair of sea-eagles had their nest in an enormous gum on top of the hill behind the house; one of the men employed at the brick kiln struggled up there (it was all dense bush at that time) with the intention of felling the tree, but when he saw its dimensions he changed his mind and came down.Old Devonport Settler.
The death occurred at his residence, Devonport, on Saturday morning of Mr. George Buck, one of the oldest settlers of the Mersey. He came to the colony about 57 years ago, and, with such men as the late H. Carter, M. Wood, J. Naylor, W. Holyman, Capt. Murray, W. Bennett, G. and D. Best, Capt. Phillips, and B. Thomas, made the history of the town. In those days there was only a track to Deloraine, and if one wanted to go to the westward, the rivers had to be forded. In the early days too, before a water supply was dreamed of, Horse head creek was more like a laundry than anything else – the house wives used to go there with their families on Mondays and “make a day of it”. Bushrangers and blackfellows provided diversions. Deceased was not accompanied to Tasmania by any of his relatives. He engaged chiefly in brick making, land dealing and farming, and after settling down married Miss Eliza Sayer. There were two sons, William and Benjamin. The latter died about 14 years ago and Mrs. Buck died about eight years ago. Later he married Mrs. Plummer, who survives him. He had been an invalid for a considerable period, but until a couple of years ago, in spite of his 80 odd summers, he was able to get about. Physically, he was a strong, active man, and his mental faculties he retained to the last. He resided first opposite the residence of the late Mr. H. Carter, and then built “The Shack”, which he afterwards sold to the late Capt. E. C. Thomas. His faith in Devonport was never shaken, even when Don became the chief centre, and shipbuilding and saw milling were carried on there. He survived to see activities on the Don River come to an end, and the Mersey established as the port. He owned at one time half of the building blocks in the town of Devonport, and his speculation in this direction showed the soundness of his judgement. In the early days he was a member of the Mersey Road Trust, for which he rendered good service. No active part was taken by him in political matters, although he detested “the chicanery of politicians”. Deceased was a keen observer, and had a reputation for integrity and straight dealing. The funeral will leave his late residence, Don road, at 2.30 p.m., tomorrow, for the Don cemetery.