Notable South Australians/Adam George Burt
Adam George Burt
ARRIVED in South Australia by the ship "Rajahstan," Nov. 16, 1838, and was in the Government service under Mr. Ormsby, the Deputy Surveyor General, in laying out Gumeracha, Cudlee Creek, and Mount Gould country. In 1843 he purchased a farm at Strathalbyn (now owned by Mr. L. Stirling) and in 1845 travelled overland to Port Phillip, returning with a herd of cattle for the Adelaide market In 1848 he rode overland to Sydney, bringing down a mob of horses. In 1870 he was second in command of the central construction party of the Overland Telegraph, and in 1871, according to instructions, travelled with one white man and a native to meet the northern party. He reached the Catherine, and brought the first message through from R. C. Patterson, Esq., then chief in command. On returning to Adelaide Mr. Burt was appointed by Sir Thomas Elder on express service with camels, and afterwards as second in command with Colonel Warburton to proceed to Western Australia, but the latter arrangement was cancelled. At the present time he has been appointed by the Queensland Government to take up camels for their service in the back country. Mr. Burt is regarded as an authority on all matters connected with the colonization of this province, and his association with it from the earliest times, and practical experience, have eminently qualified him for the position he now fills. Of affable and genial manners, ever ready to advance the interests of others, even at the expense of his own, there are few pioneer settlers who have done more real good for society at large than the subject of this notice.