Hugh Meikle jnr

Obituary

MYRNIONG (From our own correspondent.) The death of Mr. Hugh Meikle, which occurred on Friday, 12inst., at “Meikleriggs, “ removes from the Pentland Hills one of its oldest and most highly esteemed residents; and expressions of regret have been general throughout the whole district. His death was not altogether unexpected, owing to the fact that heart trouble developed some time ago, and from which he could get no relief, notwithstanding the fact that best medical aid and attention where always available. With that quiet persistency – which was one of his characteristics – he continued to move about until a fortnight or so prior to his death, when he gradually sank and died peacefully on Friday evening in the presence of his brother and sister, with whom he resided, and to whom he was greatly attached. The late Mr. Meikle, who was 77 years of age, had, in a sense, a unique experience, for he was one of the few pioneers who saw bloodshed in Victoria, at the Eureka Stockade. Born in Scotland (Paisley) in 1843, he, together with his parents (the late Mr. and Mrs Hugh Meikle) and sister and brother landed in Victoria in 1852, and almost immediately after went to the diggings in Ballarat, deceased being then nine years of age. It was whilst engaged in the fascinating occupation of gold fossicking that Mr. Meikle’s father came in close contact with the late Mr. Peter Lalor, and it is generally understood that, when trouble arose over the Miners’ Licenses, that many of the indignation meetings were presided over by Mr. Meikle’s father, the principal speaker, of course, being Mr. Lalor. At that time there were many scarlet patches in the history of Victoria, with an occasional bit of bright red, which finally culminated in bloodshed at Eureka. The deceased remembered these circumstances as though it were yesterday, and it has been said that, when a search was made for Mr. Lalor after the outbreak had ended, Mr. Meikle’s father was one who gloriously helped to conceal him. These scarlet happenings were amongst the first experiences of Mr. Meikle and he took pride – now and then – in telling his friends of his reminiscences. When things became more normal at Ballarat, the Meikle family settled on the Pentland Hills, and deceased at once became a blacksmith apprentice to Mr. Vere Quail; later he worked with the late Mr. John Tyson, of Myrniong, at his blacksmith trade, and eventually he bought Mr. Quail’s shop and business at Bacchus Marsh, where, for many years, he was recognised as the foremost blacksmith in the town. In all his work Mr. Meikle had one characteristic – honesty of purpose. He was never known to “slum” a piece of work, and any of his assistants who practised such found short-shrift. Finally, he retired from the business, which has since been carried on by Messrs. Edwards with much success. Anyone who is acquainted with the early municipal history of Bacchus Marsh will remember the prominent part Mr. Meikle’s father played in its making; and at his death (in 1898) it seemed quite fitting and proper that his son Hugh should be chosen to carry on the work his father had been so long and successfully engaged in. he was waited on by several influential residents, with the view of getting him to offer his services to the ratepayers, and he at once consented, the seat being held by him continuously, without opposition, up to 2 years ago, when illness caused him to retire. As a Councillor, he was quiet and dignified and rarely spoke out of his turn – in fact, he would have been a greater success had he displayed a “municipal punch” earlier in his career, for his quiet demeanour was sometimes imposed upon. He occupied the President’s chair some eight years ago and, altogether, the ratepayers of the Pentland Hills were highly satisfied with his stewardship. Mr. Meikle was a prominent member of the Baptist Church, and a Sunday school teacher in Coimadai and Pentland Hills, for which services he was presented with a handsome Bible, suitably inscribed. Mr. Meikle used to walk regularly to the Church at Bacchus Marsh from his home in the Pentland Hills (about 4 miles) – a fine example of his life-long earnestness. Deceased was unmarried. His remains were interred in the Maddingley cemetery on Sunday last, Pastor Cross, of the local Baptist Church, officiating at the graveside, and the mortuary arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr. Hjorth.

MEIKLE – On 12th Nov., at his residence, “Meikleriggs,” Bacchus Marsh, Hugh, beloved eldest son of late Hugh and Magdalene Meikle, aged 77 years. A colonist of 68 years.

Transcribed by Christine Stancliffe 20 July 2017.

Further Reading

Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.