The Cairns Post, Friday 28 March 1929
(Queensland)
 

A PIONEER PASSES
JOHN JAMES CARTHEW
"The death occurred at his residence on March 14 of an old and respected pioneer, Mr. John James Carthew, at the age of 79 years,"says the Brisbane "Courier in a recent issue". Of a cheerful and kindly disposition, he had endeared himself to a wide circle of friends. Born in Penzance (Cornwall), where he was educated as a mining engineer, he arrived in Victoria in 1868. After a few months on the mining fields in that State, where he had various experiences with the bushrangers, he migrated to the Mt. Perry (Queensland) copperfield. A year or two later the Palmer gold rush broke out, and he was among the first to arrive on the field. After a few years in business on the Hodgkinson goldfield, he left for the Herberton tin fields, later carrying on business in several different Northern centres. Since coming to Brisbane 17 years ago, he had lived practically in retirement. Up to the last he maintained a lively and active interest in Masonry, having been a past master of 44 years' standing. In view of the present activity in New Guinea, it is interesting to note that in 1867 he attended a lecture in London, at which a professor stated that from its geological bearing, New Guinea would one day prove the greatest gold producing country in the world. The funeral, at which the burial service was read by Canon Walter Thompson, was attended by a large number of friends, and members of the Craft, particularly the Kangaroo Point Masonic Lodge, with which he was associated. A large number of beautiful wreaths and messages of condolence were received."
The late Mr. Carthew was at one time in business at Cairns, Mareeba and Atherton, and was well known throughout the Northern districts.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho