Edward SEWELL

SUDDEN DEATH OF CONSTABLE SEWELL

About seven o’clock last evening Constable Sewell, who was the oldest police constable in the Bathurst District, died at his residence in Piper-street. It will be remembered that in October last the deceased was stricken down with influenza, and since then had been confined in his house through relapses. He was nursed by his sister, Miss Sewell, and attended by Dr. Spencer, who did all he could to alleviate his sufferings.

On January 18 be retired from the force, after being in the service for upwards of 30 years. Constable Sewell, who joined the New South Wales Police in 1853, was, perhaps, the senior member in the colony.

He entered the ranks in Bathurst as a private constable, and during the whole of that period had been on duty in the town.

At Assize time he was always a prominent figure in the Circuit Court, attending on the Judge and swearing in the witnesses. It was really in the performance of that duty that he caught the influenza in October last, as he was taken ill during the last sittings, when the Chief Justice (Sir Frederick Darley) presided.

When the railway was opened to Bathurst, in 1869, by the Acting-Governor (Sir Alfred Stephen), Constable Sewell was on duty, and being well-known to Sir Alfred, was accosted in the street and a kindly word of recognition exchanged. During his recent and last illness, Sir. Alfred wrote expressing his sympathy and enquiring after his health.

Sewell. who was a man of unobtrusive habits, never pushed himself forward, but simply performed his duty, and it is due to that fact that he failed to rise above the rank of a first-class constable.

Having in January last reached the age of 60 years, he had retired from the force, and consequently become entitled to his pension of full pay ; but he had not drawn one penny up to the time of his death, so that although he had paid into the Superannuation Fund since its establishment he had received no benefit: Miss Sewell was, we believe, dependant upon him, and if her brother had not retired a few weeks ago, would have been, according to the regulations, entitled to compensation from the Superannuation Fund.

It is understood that representations will be made to the proper quarters in this matter.

The deceased was spoken highly of by his superior officers on the Bathurst station, and his comrades were all shocked last evening when it became known that he had passed away.

He was a native of Ireland and entered the police at 21 years of age. The funeral, we understand, will take place on Sunday.

THE INFLUENZA.

Notwithstanding the abatement of influenza in the number of cases, the epidemic is still very prevalent in our midst, and it is with deep regret we record the death of Miss Sewell from its effect. Deceased was a devoted sister, and the respect in which she was held was testified by the large number who attended her funeral yesterday afternoon.

Her brother, Constable Sewell, is still seriously ill, and his friends fear that the terrible effect which his sister’s death has had upon him will not strengthen his chances of recovery.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/157150504

Brief Mention.

The melodious voice of Constable Sewell was again heard in the court this morning. As he proceeded to administer the oath to a Chinese interpreter his hearers were reminded of the prominent place he took at one time in the higher courts.

Bathurst Police Court

MONDAY. May 13th (Before Dr. Palmer, P.M., Thomas Lee and G. F. Wise. Esqrs., J.Ps.) DRUNKENNESS.

Edward Orris was brought before the Bench by Constable Sewell, charged with the above offence. Fined 40s. and 1s. costs; in default, 48 hours’ incarceration.