Archibald Stephen Phillips
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport
DEATH
PHILLIPS – On 18th September at his residence, West Devonport, Archibald Stephen Phillips, in his 66th year.
The North West Post 19th September 1914
FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Archibald Stephen Phillips will leave his late residence, Turton Street, This Day (Saturday) at 3.45 p.m. for the Bluff Cemetery. Friends please accept this intimation.
The North West Post 19th September 1914
The death occurred yesterday morning at his residence, Upper Rooke Street, Devonport, of an old and respected resident of the North West Coast in the person of Mr. Archibald Stephen Phillips. For the past four years the deceased had been an invalid, as the result of paralysis. He had previously enjoyed splendid health until the sudden death of his only son in Melbourne which came as a severe blow to him, and his health was in consequence impaired.
Mr. Phillips was a son of the late Mr. Archibald Wallace Phillips and was born at Hobart 65 years ago. At an early age he moved with his father to Westbury, where the latter was appointed schoolmaster. As a young man the deceased was given charge of a school at Constitution Hill, but resigned his position a short time later and returned to the Westbury district. He secured the carriage of mails from Deloraine to Torquay (now East Devonport), when the former centre was the terminus of the Western railway. Mr. Phillips accomplished his work on horseback through bush tracks, which entailed many hardships. Subsequently with some relatives he took up land and entered upon farming pursuits, until the late Captain Jones, of Burnie offered him an important position in his offices. Mr. Phillips remained nine years in this position. He obtained his first experiences in farm life with Mr. William Henry Oldaker at Quamby in the year 1874. In September, 1883, he married the second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hilder, a well-known resident of Burnie and the day will long be remembered. Two large barques were in port discharging rails for the Mount Bischoff railway and their masts were bedecked with all the bunting at their disposal in honour of the event. In March 1884, Mr. Phillips came to Devonport and his landing was marked by an incident which goes to show the vast improvement that has been effected in the Mersey Harbour. The trip was made from Burnie in the small Coastal trading steamer Devon, but owing to an easterly swell on the bar the captain would not venture to enter and the vessel was tossed about until next morning, when Captain Drake, father of Mr. J. A. Drake, proceeded to the Devon with the boat Thistle and the passengers and their belongings were transferred to the river steamer. There was only a small jetty, nearly opposite Steele-Street and the Thistle discharged her cargo at the ferry. There was at this time only a few houses in Devonport and the present thorough-fares were but mere formed roadways. The sea view Hotel was in the course of erection and the only place in Stewart Street was a small grocery stall. Mr. Phillips entered upon the calling of an auctioneer and commission agent on his own account and a few years later he was appointed as Coastal agent and auctioneer for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, which was subsequently brought out by the Tasmanian Woolgrowers' Agency and Mr. Phillips was transferred tot he new firm. About three years later he resumed business on his own account and was connected with the auctioneering trade until his health broke down. He had the distinction of being one of the charter members of the Loyal Mersey Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F., and was elected as the first Noble Grand in 1886. The deceased was also instrumental in inducing the late Mr. W. Fisher to found the "North West Post," which was first printed in premises opposite the flour mill. Mr. Phillips was one of a family of 13 and the first break occurred only three months ago when his sister died. He leaves a widow and one daughter, Mrs. L. Rundle, of Melrose, to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place at the Mersey Bluff cemetery, leaving his late residence at 3.45 o'clock this afternoon.
The North West Post 19th September 1914
Susan Phillips
News Item
w/o Archibald Stephen Phillips
Died 9th Jan 1930,
Buried Wivenhoe General Cemetery, Burnie.