Page:Notable South Australians.djvu/140

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
112
NOTABLE SOUTH AUSTRALIANS;

he opened the Gosse wing of the Home for Incurables—an institution in which he and his father both took deep interest. He was a prominent member of the Adelaide Literary Society, and did it good service by his lectures on various topics. The busy life he led, however, precluded him from taking an active part in public matters, though he had every inducement to do so. He was greatly attached to athletics, and well-known in the cricket field as a prominent player. Dr. Gosse was married to a daughter of the Hon. G. C. Hawker, M.P., and left one child, whom he was endeavoring to save when he met with the injuries which led to his death. He died July 1, 1885, aged 36, and it is inexpressibly sad that a life so full of promise, and which teemed with acts of kindness and skill, should have been thus briefly cut off. He will long live in the memory of men as one whom calumny could not touch, and who was prompted by a desire for the happiness of others.


Dr. W. Gosse, M.D.,

A WELL-KNOWN and deservedly-esteemed member of the South Australian medical faculty. He arrived in the colony with his family in 1850, and in 1852 received the appointment of Colonial Surgeon, and also that of Superintending Surgeon to the Lunatic Asylum. In March, 1857, he was appointed Honorary Medical Officer to the Adelaide Hospital, and in 1874 became President of the Central Board of Health. He held the office of Public Vaccination Officer to the Government from 1880 to the time of his death. He was one of the Governors of the S. A. Institute, and Warden of the Senate of the Adelaide University. Dr. Gosse was an able physician, and his kind manner endeared him to all with whom he was associated in his professional duties. He died in Adelaide at an advanced age, in July, 1883.