Albert James McBRIDE [6068]

  General Notes:

1868 SA Births 64/358 MCBRIDE Albert James James Martin MCBRIDE Elizabeth DUNN, Burra
1928 Burra Cemetery Memorial Inscription McBRIDE Albert James 59y
Burra Cemetery Burial Register McBRIDE Albert James 59y

Burra Record (SA : 1878-1954) Wednesday 7 March 1928
THE LATE A. J. McBRIDE.
FINE RECEPTION IN AFRICA.
The following interesting account of Mr. McBride appeared in Saturday's 'Register' which we feel sure will interest many of our readers:
The late Mr. A.J. McBride, a fore most South Australian pastoralist, passed away at Middelburg, Cape Colony, on February 4th with such tragic suddenness that 'The Register' has obtained from his travelling companion particulars of the tour and the impression received by Mr. Mc Bride. The party consisting of Mr. MeBride, his youngest daughter, his niece and Rev. J. H. Nield of St. Peters, landed at Durban on December 31st. They were met by a representative of the South African Rail ways, who arranged all the details of their tour. Four days were spent in Durban, and the party left for Pre toria - the beautiful capital of the Transvaal Province and the administrative centre of the Union. On the morning after arrival Mr. McBride visited Union Buildings and waited upon Gen. Kemp (Minister for Agriculture), presenting his letter of introduction from the Hon. J. Cowan. The official line of the Union Buildings was on the eve of removing to Capetown for the Parliamentary session of six months and Gen. Kemp's private secretary doubted whether we could do more than present our letters. We were introduced to Gen. Kemp who remained standing. A few compliments were passed and questions asked, and the general sat down and asked us to be seated. He soon perceived he was talking to a man of wide experience, and he summoned the chief secretary of the department (Col. Williams.)
An Important Interview.
Then the interview assumed an aspect of great importance and the wool expert of the Union (Mr. Thornton) was called in. Wool production and marketing, methods and operations on stations, the contrasts between South Africa and Australia and the possibility of co-operation between the two countries - these and kindred subjects were the staple of conversation and enquiry, which altogether lasted three hours. Gen. Kemp and Col. Williams stated that they had never had such a remarkable and in formative interview. The wool expert before we left the building arranged that Mr. McBride should visit several farms upon the Karoo and this series of visits, so kindly intentioned eventually took him to Middleburg, Cape Province. Leaving Pretoria the party travelled via Mafeking and Buluwayo to Victoria Falls, where three days were spent in viewing one of Nature's greatest sights. A day was spent at Buluwayo on the return journey and the Matoppos Estate and the resting place of Cecil Rhodes were visited. Rhodesia is a cattle-raising country of much promise, but at present in its early stages. It was apparent to Mr. McBride everywhere that only recently - since British occupation - had the agricultural industry begun to move. Old methods are rooted in inertia and prejudice and are hard to dislodge. But the stretch of country called the Kalahari Desert, with a 10-in rainfall, immensely impressed him. Presence Widely Known. The Golden City - Johannesburg - claimed one week of our time. Mr. McBride's presence was widely known and many notable people sought him at the hotel. Letters of introduction were presented from our Chief Commissioner of Railways to the assistant general manager at the South African railways' headquarters and inter views were obtained with the touring and travel manager (Mr Dawson) , who had made the comfortable arrangements we enjoyed on the rail ways. The handling and feeding of stock in transit were enquired into. A form dealing with stock was given us, when Col. Irwin Smith (director of Abattoirs and Markets) gave us a whole morning while we followed through the various means he had adopted for the untrucking, sorting and disposal of stock. The mines are a central interest in Johannesburg, and the publicity manager arranged a morning at the Robinson Deep, where the various processes of gold extraction were inspected and explained. Welcome at Middleburg. Middleburg - called Middleburg Cape to distinguish it from Middle burg in the Transvaal - was reached by a journey through the interesting grazing and mealie lands of the Orange River Colony. There we saw a typical Karoo sheep farm. The coun try is very similar to our station land. The effect of a prolonged drought of about two years was very manifest. The Union Government have their chief Agricultural College at Groot-fontein, adjoining the town. The farm attached to the college comprises 25,000 acres - most of which is sheep land. The annual conference of Government experts was being held at the time, Mr. Thornton being present. The principal (Mr Jonbert) extended a warm welcome to Mr. McBride, and Mr. Schurman (wool expert) showed us round his department. Much research with experiment is undertaken here to find out the best breeds or crosses of sheep for the country and the effect of feeding upon wool production. This was of great interest to Mr. McBride. After lunch, the sheep expert (Mr. Warren) drove us round the farm to inspect the flocks and the stud animals. Both these experts had been sent by their Governments to Australia to study our methods.
A Fatal Chill.
The day following the inspection Mr McBride caught a chill, and in spite of care and treatment, influeuza and pneumonia followed. Medical and nursing skill did all that was possible, but he succumbed to heart failure on Saturday, February 4th. The temporary interment took place on Sunday morning amid profound sorrow. 'The Mayor, the principal, and the professors at the college and a number of local sheep farmers attended. Later in the day the three remaining members of the party travelled by motor to De Aar, boarded the Union Limited express and reached Capetown in time to sail by the Ceramic for home. The tour had been most interesting. Everywhere Mr. McBride willingly imparted his great practical know ledge of pastoral affairs. Young sheep farmers, who were alive to the importance of new methods, hearing of his presence in their district, eagerly sought his advice. He attended one wool sale in Durban and sent home his opinions. While travelling over the veldt he was keenly observant of the country. One thing greatly impressed him, that, in contrast to South Africa, we are comparatively free from insect pests. Among other affairs he showed a great interest in the native question and felt thankful that we have not the colored problem in our midst, yet he expressed a deep concern in the efforts in South Africa to solve that question. Many telegrams were received from public bodies and private people who had the pleasure of meeting him. He left, behind him the impression - as one said - of a 'Noble generous personality'

1928 - McBRIDE, Albert James
Burra Record (SA : 1878-1954) Wednesday 4 April 1928
THE LATE Mr. A. J. McBRIDE.
The last sad rites in connection with the death of Mr. McBride, who passed away in South Africa on February 4th last, took place at the Kooringa Cemetery, Thursday, the 29th March, when his remains were laid to rest. Flags were flown at half-mast and during the time set apart for the interment all business places in the town were closed. This enabled those attached to business places to attend the funeral. The cortege of immense length left the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. E.F. Marston, at 10 a.m. The hearse and coffin were covered with magnificent floral tributes, the remainder of the wreaths filling a car which followed immediately after the hearse. Seldom has a larger or more representative gathering assembled in the cemetery. On this occasion the most humble person in the town to the wealthiest in the district were present out of esteem and not from a sense of duty. The service was conducted by the Rev. J.H. Nield of Adelaide, who was Mr. McBride's travelling companion on his visit to South Africa. At the conclusion Mr. Nield who for years had been closely identified with the deceased gentleman, paid a high tribute to the worth of the late Mr. Mc Bride. He spoke of his early struggle with nature saying he was a man whom nature had fashioned, open and fearless. It was nature that had fashioned his fighting qualities and had made him so tolerant and from this had risen a great fineness of heart, generosity, courage, chivalry and unselfishness. A man who had sought no favours but had been ever ready to bestow them. The Benediction pronounced by the Rev. R.H. Lee concluded the service. The chief mourners were Messrs Phillip and Jim McBride, sons; A. Waugh, C. Collins, C. Taylor, sons-in-law; Mesdames W.G. Hawkes and J. Boehme, sisters Messrs William, Robert, Tom and Norman McBride, brothers; Messrs J.L. Sandland, C. and J. McBride Robin McBride, R. Hawkes, D. and N. Keynes, P. Roach, nephews; Messrs W.G. Hawkes, P. Lane, S.M. Lane and E.F. Marston, brothers-in-law. The bearers were members of the Kooringa Masonic Lodge, Bros. Rev W.O. Harris, M.W. Bednall, F.H Collins, F.H. Reed, F.M. Pearce, M.A. Radford, D. Keynes and W.R. Lee. Many gentlemen came from Adelaide to attend the funeral, including Mr. P. Milner - Secretary to Messrs P.A. and A.J. McBride, Messrs Elder Smith and Co. were re presented by Messrs Horsley Chapman, W.H. Monfries, A.S. Martin and T. Builder (Adelaide), M. Pearce (Burra), and L. Johnson (Peter borough), Mr. B.S. Leahy, British Imperial Oil Co. (Adelaide); Mr Reg Walker, Campbell Shearing Co., Adelaide; E.F. Hamilton, Secretary Colton, Palmer and Preston Ltd (Adelaide): J.C. Cunningham, Toorak. . Many present and old em ployees of the firm of A.J. and P.A. McBride were also present, including Messrs W.V. Villis, G.R. Bevan, W.G. Corbin, managers of Marrabel. Teetulpa and Braemar stations. Amongst prominent pastoralists and grazers were Messrs T.H. Pearse, his sons, N.H. and H.L. Pearse, C.H. Bartholomaeus, John Collins, T.H. Bailey, C. Wade, members of the Warnes, Riggs, Sandland, Kellocks, Gebhardt, Collins, Field, Finch and Reed families, besides many prominent business folk and residents from all over the district. The Salvation Army was represented from head quarters, by Major Melksham, Brigadier and Mrs. J. Ward (Adelaide) and Ensign Shinn, Burra. Amongst the many beautiful wreaths was one composed entirely of South African wild flowers.

Albert married Louisa LANE [6081] [MRIN: 2060] on 2 Sep 1891 in Wesleyan Church, Kooringa, South Australia. (Louisa LANE [6081] was born on 11 Jun 1868 in Kooringa, South Australia, died on 30 Aug 1945 in Adelaide, South Australia and was buried on 31 Aug 1945 in Kooringa Cemetery, South Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

1891 SA Marriages 168/855 MCBRIDE Albert LANE Louisa, Burra