At his residence, Robertson-street Casterton, the death occured at 5 pm on Wednesday last of Mr. James Hanlon, at the age of 86 years. The venerable old gentleman, whose health had declined seriously during the last few months, had during the day risen from his bed and sat near the fire, but when being assisted back to bed he suddenly collapsed. Besides his widow, he is survived by a family of four daughters and two sons. The daughters are Mrs. John Ferguson (Casterton), Mrs. Middleton (Kilmore), Mrs. Lee (East Malvern), and Miss Hanlon (who lived at the family home). The sons are Mr. Claude Hanlon (Perth), and Mr. Harold Hanlon (Coleraine).
Mr. Hanlon was an infant when his parents landed in Australia from Dublin, where he was born. At different periods, deceased lived at Narrawong, Heywood (where he conducted hotel), Hamilton, Coleraine and Casterton. All his long life he was interested in horses, and twice made trips to India in connection with his consignments of horses to that part of the empire. On one of these occasions he contracted such a bad attack of fever that when placed on the boat he was not expected to survive the sea trip back to this country.
All his life deceased was interested in the turf, and it has been recalled that the first horses he raced were Paddy the Larrikan and Mr Lord. Since then there have passed through his hands as an owner-trainer many horses which have made fame for themselves on racecourses, particularly in Western Victoria and South-East of South Australia. Besides many good performers on the flat, he also raced many good horses over hurdles and fences, and one of his best remembered steeple chasers of recent years was Little Tourie, winner of the Normanby Steeple at Casterton in 1927 and other races in Western Victoria. Mr Hanlon's active interest in the turf extended right up to the last season, when he personally prepared for events a good flat performer in Furnival.
A wide circle of friends admired and wondered at Mr Hanlon's remarkable physical strength in tending and preparing the horses for races, and which meant his appearance to the track inn the early hours of the morning. It is not possible to cover in this short obituary the records of his long association with the turf, but followers of the turf right throughout the whole state will regret the passing of a great personage who was connected with it right throughout a long and most honorable life. His last public appearance was at the morning service at Christ Church Casterton, on the day appointed as a day of prayer by the King, May 26th last.
He was a member of Masonic fraternity for over 50 years, and was a Past Master of Portland Lodge No 6. A few months ago he was presented with a jubilee medal by the Grand Master of the Victorian Constitution.
