We regret to have to record the death of Mr Robert Hazen which occured at his residence at Yarrawonga on Thursday night, as a result of cancer. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, and the esteem in which the deceased had been held was attested by the large number of people who attended to pay him a last tribute of respect. The deceased, having been a member of the Freemasons' Lodge, was accorded a Masonic funeral. The cortege left the Masonic Hall, and was led by the Yarrawonga Brass Band, which played "The Dead March" and other appropriate selections on the way to the cemetery. Immediately before the hearse a number of members of the Masonic Lodge in regalia - marshalled by Bro. J.C. Caffin, M.C. - marched in double file. After the hearse came a score or so of vehicles, numerous horsemen, and a large number of pedestrians. At the grave side the burial service was read by the Rev R.H. Potter, and the impressive service of the Masonic body was read by Bro. C. Buchanan, W.M., assisted by Bro. M.C.A. Crockett, I.M.P. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Messrs Strachan and Bowles, of Belmore Street, their new mourning coach being a feature of the cortege.

Mr Hazen, who at the time of his demise was 62 years of age, was born at Oromocto, Sunbury County, N.B. (Canada). His father was Mr Robert Hazen, at one time a wealthy ship-builder of that place, and the member of a family of some note in New Brunswick, as will be seen from the following extract taken from "Our Dominion," a Canadian periodical. In an article on some representative men of New Brunswick, "Our Dominion" says:- "Looking back over the historic past of New Brunswick the name of Hazen stands out in bold relief. Some member of the family has always been prominent in law or politics, or has held some position of trust. Such names as the Hon. Robert L. Hazen, for so many years the Recorder of St. John, and of Sheriff John Hazen, of Sunbury, are familiar as household words in the annals of these times. As a rule too, they have been more or less identified with military matters, and have held commissions in some one or other of the branches of the service. John Hazen was a lieutenant in H.M. 49th regiment, and after resigning his commission became sheriff of Sunbury. John Hazen's son was James King Hazen, a justice of the peace in the times when the office was bestowed for merit) and had more value than it has today. His son was John Douglas Hazen, of Hazen Castle, the present mayor of Fredericston, (sic) who after a University career, was called to the bar in 1881, and in the following year was elected mayor". The John Hazen referred to was an uncle of the late Mr R. Hazen. Mr Hazen came to the colony in l852 or 1853, and the circumstances under which he emigrated, or rather the means employed, are worthy of passing notice. At that time the fame of the Australian gold fields had of course reached New Brunswick, but there was no means of reaching the Australian colonies from that quarter except by a long route. To save much inconvenience about forty or fifty young men of the neighborhood of Fredericston (sic) combined and purchased a vessel, equipped and manned her, and set sail for Australia. Among these were the late Mr Hazen and two brothers of Mr G.E. Brown. They touched in at the Cape on the voyage out, took in a cargo of gin, which they brought to the colonies and disposed of at such profit as to enable them to defray all the expenses of the voyage, which amounted to something like 60 pounds per man. The vessel was known as the "Brig Australia," and continued to trade in Australian waters till about ten years ago. On arriving in the colony Mr Hazen first came to the Ovens district, where he tried his luck on the gold field. While at Beechworth (then Mayday Hills) he helped to build the first wooden house ever erected there - the police station. After remaining in the district for a few years, he went to the Castlemaine or Bendigo district and other places, and came to Yarrawonga about twelve years ago, where he resided until his death.