1892
Eight Hours Granted.
About a week ago two delegates-Messrs. Carroll and White-from the Tanners and Curriers' Union, Sydney, waited on Mr. R.V. Cobcroft, and made a request that the eight hours system should be adopted in the establishment, Mr. Cobcroft requested to be allowed to consider the matter, and on Thursday agreed to concede the request. The men employed by Mr. Cobcroft will, therefore, from Monday next, enjoy the boon of eight hours, without the slightest reduction in their present rate of wages. Mr. Cobcroft is to be complimented on this decision, and the local branch of the Union is deserving of praise for having been instrumental in securing the end they had in view without causing any friction. The other local establishments have not yet agitated in the direction of securing any reduction in the number of hours worked, but in view of the success which has met | the efforts of their brethren, there is no doubt they will do so.
Source: Windsor and Richmond Gazette 20 Feb 1892DEATH OF MR. R. W. COB CROFT.
WINDSOR, Saturday.— Mr. R. W. Cobcroft, J.P., after an illness of long duration, died at his ; residence, Glenroy, Newtown, last night. He was a central figure in the community, and prominent in all movements for the good of the district. He was a large employer of labor, being proprietor of the Newtown tannery, and was well known commercially on the Colonial and Home market. Politically, Mr. Cobcroft's opin ion and influence were eagerly sought after by candidates at election time, and soeiafTy he was a leader. His death will be great loss to the district. He was only 46 years of age.Source: Evening News 6 Aug 1900
OBITUARY.
Death of Mr. Richard William
Cobcroft, J. P.
It is with sincere grief we announce the death of Mr. Richard William Cobcroft, J.P., who died at his residence, "Glenroy," on the 3rd of August, after a lingering illness. For some months the de ceased gentleman had been com plaining of ill-health, but nothing serious was contemplated by his family or friends. The late Mr Cobcroft endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact ; he was a sincere friend, a charitable man, and, when his health permitted, a keen sportsman. His numerous acts of quiet charity will be a memory with us for many years, and the support which the deceased gentleman has always given to all matters relating to local sport will be missed by all. It was gratifying to note the large and representative funeral, includ ing many prominent Sydney people, which followed the body to the grave. All sections of the com munity were there, the rich and the poor, the high and the lowly, all actuated by the same worthy ob ject of paying respect to the de ceased, who was buried on the 4th of August. The coffin, which was a very handsome one of cedar, being silver mounted, was made by Mr. T. Collison, of Windsor, who also carried out the funeral arrange ments very well. Numbers of beautiful wreaths were placed on the grave, a great many of them having been sent from Sydney. The body was carriod from the house of the deceased gentleman to the hearse by four of his employees. The funeral left the residence of the deceased at four o'clock, and wended its way to St. Matthew's Church, a body of Freemasons walking in front of the hearse in the Society's regalia The pall bearers were Messrs. Morgan, M.P., Brinsley Hall, Norman Hall, and Mr. Prosper Ridge, (of Richmond). The body was carried from the hearse into the church by the deceased gentleman's five brothers, and Mr. H. Beecroft. The burial service, conducted by the Rev S. G. Fielding, was impressive, and some hymns were sung. After the Rev. Mr. Fielding had read the Church of England service at the grave side, Mr. J.J. Paine did a similar duty on behalf of the Masonic body, who sent wreaths and floral offer ings :-George . Wilcox & Co, Hr. and Mrs. H. Pateson, Mr. G. Pitt and family, (Sunnyside), the employees of Messrs. John Henty & Son, Messrs. Fred Aldereon & Co., Mir. and Mrs Carroll, Miss. Myra Linsley, employees of Fresh Food and Ice Co., Sydney Cycle Co., Mr. and Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Flexman, Mr. and Mrs. Brinsley Hall, Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lobb, Mr. W. Benson, Mr. H. Cobcroft, Mr. and Mrs. Bloome, Members of Cleveland Bicycle Club, Mr. and Mrs. G. Kirwan, Mr, and Mrs. Padley, Mrs. Barnett and family, Mr. and Mrs. G. Davis, John Hunter & Sons' Factory hands, Mr. Alick Hunter, tannery employees.
Source: Hawkesbury Advocate 22 Dec 1899