The Brisbane Courier , Thursday 25 April 1901
(Queensland)
 

DEATH OF MR. F. CURNOW
Mr. Francis Curnow, who until recently was Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Commissioners, died at his residence last evening at half-past nine o’clock. For some weeks his health had not been as satisfactory as his friends desired, but he continued to attend his public duties, and was present at the meeting of the Transit Commission three weeks ago, though then in a somewhat enfeebled condition. Against the wishes of his friends and medical adviser he attended another meeting, but on the following day had to take to bed, and his illness steadily developed to typhoid fever, which, however, even up to yesterday morning, his constituion seemed capable of throwing off. Throughout Tuesday some improvement in his condition seemed apparent, and no apprehension was entertained. The end came with much suddenness, and was due to weakness of the heart. During his illness Mr. Curnow was attended by Dr. Peter Bancroft. The funeral will take place at 11 o’clock to-morrow morning.
Francis Curnow was born at St. Ives, Cornwall, England, on 4th January, 1840, and arrived in Queensland in March, 1860, when the young colony was in the throes of its first general election. Anxious to gain commercial experience, he entered the establishment of Messrs. Cribb and Foote, Ipswich, and remained with that firm until he accepted an offer from the Hon. Arthur McAlister, the Premier of the colony, of a pay clerkship in connection with the Road Department. The district under his charge extended from Brisbane to Dalby and Warwick. On the inauguration of the railway system in Queensland, in 1866, he was appointed principal railway store-keeper, and, later, was promoted to be secretary of the Locomotive Department for the purpose of organising its accounts. When the Government decided to separate the two departments—works and Railways—Mr. Curnow was appointed chief clerk of the railways of the colony, and subsequently on the retirement of Mr. A. O. Herbert became Commissioner for Railways, which position he held until 1889, when he retired on a pension. At the request of the Government, he was shortly afterwards appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Commission, which appointment he occupied almost up to the time of his death. Mr. Curnow was placed on the commission of peace twenty years ago. He was also conciliating justice, chairman of the Normal School Board, returning-officer for Toombul, and a director of the Royal Bank of Queensland. He was married twice, and leaves a family of four sons and two daughters.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho