| OBITUARY R.M.PITT (By A.W.P.) Robert Matcham Pitt managing director of Pitt, Son and Badgery Limited, died in Sydney on the 30th September, aged 86 years. Probably one of the most beloved and popular men in the wool trade and a personal friend of the writer, his loss will be felt deeply by his staff and by all that came in contact with him. Only quite recently his dear old friend Sir Sidney Kidman died and he felt it badly. Robert M Pitt had been actively associated with the fat stock and wool trade for 64 years, and throughout that period held an auctioneer�s license, which only recently he had renewed. He continued in harness until four days before he died. As a young man Mr. Pitt entered the employ of the Railway Commissioners and trained as an engineer. He was first actively interested in the pastoral business in 1871 when he joined his father, the late Mr. G. M. Pitt, in the firm of G. M. Pitt and Son. Subsequently the late Mr. Henry S. Badgery joined the business and the company of Pitt, Son and Badgery Limited was formed in 1888, the late Mr. Arthur Muggridge being associated with Mr. Pitt and Mr. Badgery as managing directors, and Mr. W. M. Wright as secretary. The firm from its earliest days has been known throughout Australia, and even abroad, as one of the highest integrity � a record that the late Mr. Pitt was well proud of. For 40 years Robert Pitt was an alderman of the Manly Municipal Council, and the planting of the magnificent pines which have made Manly famous was done by him, working with the late Mr. C Hayes and Mr. John Woods, two tree-lovers, who followed the younger expert'� lead. Trees and flowers, shrubs and garden plants were a passion with Mr. Pitt from his boyhood days. When it became necessary for health�s sake to move his growing family to the Blue Mountains in 1889, he was able to indulge in his hobby to the full. He surrounded Coorah � his home � with forest giants for shelter from the westerly winds, and by so doing was able to live in comfort and security almost all the year through. Mr. Pitt had many other interests. He was a patron of grand opera, and was often among guarantors of visiting companies. For outdoor recreation he turned to golf. A nine-hole course was laid out in his own paddocks at Wentworth Falls while the game was stillin its infancy in this country. Mr. Pitt is survived by Mrs. Pitt, four sons and four daughters. The service at St. James Church was very largely attended by the leading businessmen of the city, and his body was cremated at Rookwood. Personally I shall miss his cheery voice and welcome. Another of my old friends of nearly half a century has gone west. |
| ROBERT MATCHAM PITT 1849-1935 |
| The following is a copy of the Obituary of R.M.Pitt as it appeared in "The Pastoral Review" on the 16th October 1935. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|