The passing of George Henry Perrin

The Independent Fri 17 Apr 1936 Page 3

MR. G. H. PERRIN, SENR.

With tragic suddenness the death occurred on Tuesday night last of one of Deniliquin’s oldest and most highly respected residents in Mr. George Henry Perrin, senr., aged 78 years proprietor of the Chronicle newspaper.

Following his usual custom Mr. Perrin set out on foot from his home in George street on Tuesday evening to deliver his newspapers. He had only proceeded into Cressy street when he apparently was seized with a heart attack and sat down on the edge of the footpath, where he collapsed. His plight was noticed by Mrs. Halliday, who secured aid and a call was made for a doctor and Mrs. Perrin, who arrived at her husband’s side as he passed ‘away. Mr. Perrin had never appeared to have been seriously in disposed in his lifetime, and news of his passing came as a very severe blow not only to his family and relatives, but also to every resident of the town, because he was universally respected and deservedly popular with all sections of the community. He had a cheery word for everyone, and was of a remarkably jovial nature for one of his age, while his activity was surprising.

A native of Collingwood (Vic.), the late Mr. Perrin, came to Deniliquin with his parents 75 years ago and had resided continuously in the town ever since. He served his time as a carpenter with the late Mr. Hunter and after being associated with the last named in the undertaking business for a few years he took over the business, and for the past 50 years he has been the town’s undertaker. For a considerable period, he carried on the business of builder and contractor, and for several years was the Municipal Council’s building inspector.

His record of 75 years’ residence and a wonderful retentive memory caused Mr. Perrin to be regarded as the town’s historian, and his aid was frequently sought in tracing back events and residents of the earlier days. He saw Deniliquin grow from a struggling township to what it is today, and his reminiscences, if they had been printed, would have been exceedingly interesting.

Deceased was the oldest member of the Deniliquin Lodge of the M.U.I. O.Q.F., of which he was Past District Grand Master, and retained his interest in lodge affairs to the end.

He joined the lodge 55 years ago.

The late Mr. Perrin also took his part in civic affairs. He was elected an alderman of the Municipal Council in 1897 and was Mayor in 1900. Resigning in 1902, Mr. Perrin returned as an alderman in 1905, and held office continuously until the end of 1919, when he resigned from office.

Deceased was a Justice of the Peace for both New South Wales and Victoria, and his efforts on behalf of hundreds of local residents, many a time going out of his way to assist them in preparing documents and statements and signing them as a justice, is remembered by them with deepest gratitude.

For the past 24 years Mr. Perrin conducted the Chronicle newspaper.

In his editorship of that journal his comments on public topics were always very fair, and he could be very outspoken if he believed an injustice had been done to anyone. Fellow craftsmen in Deniliquin and throughout the Riverina held Mr. Perrin in the highest esteem and extend their deepest sympathy to the relatives.

The late Mr. Perrin was twice married. He is survived by his second wife and eight daughters— Mrs. R. Eames (New Zealand), Mrs. Walter Daish (Deniliquin), Mrs. A. Campbell (Deniliquin), Miss Elizabeth Perrin (Deniliquin), Mrs. G. Wharton junr. (Deniliquin), Mrs. W. Young (Deniliquin), and Miss Ena Perrin (Deniliquin) and one son, Charles (Windsor, Vic.). Messrs. Fred Perrin senr., and J. O. Perrin, of Deniliquin, are younger brothers of deceased.

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon to the Methodist portion of the Deniliquin cemetery, the Rev. G. L., Walker officiating at the graveside.

A large number of town and district friends joined in the cortege.

Independent Deniliquin, NSW, Friday 24 April 1936, page 3

CORONER’S INQUIRY- DEATH OF MR. G. H. PERRIN , DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES.

In the absence of the Coroner, the police magistrate (Mr. I. Beavers) conducted an inquiry on Tuesday afternoon into the death of the late George Henry Perrin. A finding was recorded that death was due to natural causes.

Dr. A. P. Gorman, Deniliquin, stated that at about 7.30 p.m. on April 14 he received a telephone call to go to Perrin’s place. On arrival Miss Perrin told him there, was something the matter with her father in Cressy street. For about 10 minutes he could not locate the scene. He eventually saw George Henry Perrin lying on his side partly against a fire hydrant on the edge of the footpath. He examined the body and found life extinct. In his opinion death was due to acute myocarditis (heart failure). There were no marks on the body, which was perfectly normal otherwise. Deceased was approximately 78 years of age, and though he had never examined him physically his appearance was consistent with heart failure. It appeared to witness as though deceased had sat down on the side of the footpath. Life had been extinct about 15 minutes when he arrived.’ To Mr. Beavers: Witness had spoken to deceased in the last 12 months about walking round with the papers at night, and about four months ago deceased told him that the exertion of walking around made him feel rather tired. The heart failure which, he believed was the cause of death was more of a muscular type. Inspector F. C. Ruffles, of Deniliquin, said that at 8 April 14 he received a message and went to the home of the late G. H. Perrin, whom he knew well. On arrival he saw the body of deceased, which was fully clothed. He made a thorough examination of the body, but there were no marks of any sort. Mrs. Aura Maria Constance Perrin, widow of deceased, said that on April 14 at 6.45 p.m. deceased had tea with the family, and shortly afterwards her that her husband had been hurt and asked her to come around into Cressy street. Upon arrival she saw deceased lying on the side near the fire hydrant. Deceased expired shortly after she arrived. It appeared as though deceased had sat down slowly and then fallen over on his side. His papers were beside him. Deceased would have walked less than half a mile after leaving home. He was 77 years of age on July 14 last. Though in the last few weeks deceased appeared to have been quite well, he had previously said he was tired after doing the paper round. Deceased life was insured and he left a will. Deceased who had resided in Deniliquin since he was 4 1/2 years old, had never consulted a doctor in his life. Mrs. Florence Mildred Halliday, Cressy street, Deniliquin said that I was going home between 7.30 and 7.45 p.m., on April 14 when she noticed a man lying on his side near the fire plug. – She asked Andrew Barnes who was passing, who the man was and on looking at him Barnes said it was Mr. George Perrin. Witness attention was attracted by the man sighing heavily. She went to him but could not feel the man’s pulse, heart beating, and he did not (?). She hurried to Mrs. Perrin and brought her to the scene, The coroner found that death was due to natural causes, .vis., acute carditis.

The Cobram Courier 23 Apr 1936 P2.

The death took place at Deniliquin on Tuesday night of George Henry Perrin, one of the oldest residents of that town.

Deceased gentleman, who was 78 years of age, was the proprietor of the “Chronicle” and when delivering his newspapers he was overcome with a heart turn and passed away within a few minutes.