In a former letter I referred to the protracted illness of the Rev. Friedrich Wilhelm Spieseke, for a considerable number of years manager of this station, and now I beg to inform you of his happy departure, which took place on Sunday, 24th June 1877. His illness lasted about two and a half years, and was at first slow in its progress, but when, about ten days prior to his death, the vitals began to be attacked, the patient sank rapidly.

Mr. Spieseke, who died at the age of fifty-six, labored most zealously and faithfully for the temporal spiritual well-being of the flock under his care, and of him it may be truly said that 'to spend and be spent' for Christ and the aborigines was his sole aim.

Even when quite laid up he would have the blacks come to his bedside, so that he might press on them the necessity of at once considering the things belonging to their peace, or caution the careless and reprove the disobedient. Most of them were present in the room at his death, and their weeping and sobbing, which quite filled the room, amply testified to the sincerity of their love to their departed pastor. He now rests among 'his people,' as he liked to call the natives, not far from the neat little stone church, which was erected by him but two years and a half ago. Mr. Spieseke was instrumental in the establishment of this mission in 1858, and since then has served uninterruptedly in it till last year, when he was compelled, through failing health, to resign.

His funeral took place on 26th June 1877, and was largely attended by both whites and blacks. - Correspondent "Ararat Advertiser."