Henry ZOUCH

DEATH OF CAPTAIN ZOUCH.

THE people of Goulburn heard with sad surprise on Monday morning that death had claimed for his own one of the oldest residents of the city – Captain Henry Zouch. For some two or three weeks the deceased gentleman had been ill ; but as it was circulated that his condition was improving fears for him were allayed, and his recovery was generally looked for. This being so, the news of his death came with a greater shock. It was on Saturday morning that the deceased gentleman became worse, and throughout the day he   remained in a dangerous state, being hardly conscious. Sunday saw no improvement, but on the contrary he became lower, and was unconscious the greater part of the day ; and in the evening at 6 o’clock he breathed his last. His illness was brought on by exposure to the sun, which he experienced last Friday fortnight whilst tending to his garden, of which occupation the Captain was very fond. To the effects of that exposure, and to decay of the system, his death is attributed. The Captain was in his 73rd year, and has resided in New South Wales for about 50 years.

The following, which is taken from Mr. J. Henniker Heaton’s “Australian Dictionary of Dates, and Men of the Time,” gives an outline of his career :

Zouch, Captain Henry, son of Colonel Zouch, commander of a British regiment during the last American war of 1812-14, was born in Quebec, where his father was for some time commandant. When a young man, Mr. Henry Zouch repaired to England, and received his education in the military college at Sandhurst. In 1826 he obtained a   commission as Ensign in the fourth or ” King’s Own Regiment.” After serving in several garrison towns in England, he came out to the colony of New South Wales with his regiment. In those days every convict ship was conducted and guarded hither by a detachment of troops. Captain Zouch was appointed in 1834 to the first division of the military mounted police, stationed at Bathurst. There were then three divisions, one at Bathurst, one at Goulburn, and one at Maitland. He was despatched to the Bogan to find the remains of Richard Cunningham, the botanist, and succeeded in doing so, and a tablet was erected on the spot. On the fourth regiment proceeding to India Captain Zouch sold out. He was for some years engaged in pastoral pursuits at Ashly, Lake George. On the discovery of gold at Ophir, and the consequent rush thither, he received the appointment as Gold Commissioner at the town, where he remained until 1853, in which year he accepted the post of Superintendent of Mounted Patrol for Main Roads. This   position he retained until the mounted patrol was amalgamated with the general police under Police Act of 1862. Since then Captain Zouch has   remained in charge as General Superintendent of Police for the Southern Districts. He has the   excellent qualification of always obtaining the confidence and esteem of the men under his control.   During the bushranging era and on many other occasions Captain Zouch was distinguished for his courage, foresight, and ability. He has at various times during the absence of Mr. Fosbery fulfilled the duties of Inspector-General of Police.

The captain was a man universally respected and liked. Actuated partly perhaps by disinclination for it, and prevented maybe by pressure of official duties, he never figured prominently as a public man. For some years he occupied the honorable position of president of the Goulburn Hospital, and he was also for a great length of time a warden of St. Nicholas’ Church. With all classes of the community he has always been a favorite, rendered so   by his gentlemanly demeanour and his quiet mode of life ; for, meddling not with things which did not concern him, he was one of those of whom it might be said –

[blockquote]Along the cool sequestc’d vale of life He kept the noiseless tenor of his way. [/blockquote]

He was of a most benevolent disposition, and was full of a charity that loves to exercise itself in unostentatious acts of benevolence. To the appeal of suffering he never turned a deaf ear, but was ever ready to relieve those who came to him in genuine distress. To that no doubt is to be attributed his great popularity amongst the poorer classes, who lose in him a friend they will find it hard to replace.

As an officer the captain was one of the most efficient in the public service. His career was one of honor, and he has never had one of his decisions questioned. To the men under him he was at once just and considerate; and in their great respect for him is one of the strongest proofs of his worth as a man and a superior.

Captain Zouch’s near surviving relatives are a widow, four sons, and three daughters.

Before opening the business of the Police Court yesterday, the Police Magistrate said he regretted to learn-last night the death of Captain Zouch, a late member of the Goulburn bench of justices, and an officer of the crown for 50 years in this colony. It was usual, he believed, to show respect to the memory of deceased gentlemen in such cases, by adjourning courts with which they had been   connected, but on the present occasion this custom could not be well adhered to, as it would prove detrimental to the public business. Be could only therefore express the regret of the bench to learn of the deceased’s death.

The funeral takes place this afternoon at four o’clock.

Goulburn Evening Penny Post          Tuesday  30 October 1883          page 2 of 4