234 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. F. W. Holder known, and. because of the hardiness of his views, respected. As a journalist Mr. Holder was much above the average of country editors. Possessed of a ready How of language, of clear discernment, and of analytical power, his abilities were not confined to country " journalism. Then and afterwards he became a contributor to the leading columns of the Adelaide dailies, and a writer of special articles for English newspapers. The productions of his pen were promptly accepted, and it is certain that had he continued in this sphere he would have become a leading Australian journalist. While associated with the Ihirra Record, Mr. Holder took another useful step towards public life. He interested himself in municipal matters, and was elected to the Hurra Council. Not long afterwards he became Mayor, a position which he occupied for two vears. He was able to do good work for the town, and to initiate many improve- ments. He infused some of his own strenuous spirit into the Council, was painstaking, and was a municipal reformer. His reputation in the district rose by degrees, and he was gazetted a justice of the Peace. He principally devoted himself, however, to religious work ; and as a lay preacher in the Wesleyan Church delivered many thoughtful sermons; and though he now holds the highest position in the land, he still, upon occasion, occupies the pulpit in metropolitan and coimtry churches. When in 1887 Mr. Holder offered himself to the suffrage of the Hurra electorate for a seat in the House of Assembly, his advent was hailed with pleasure. The Hurra district, embracing such large country towns as Hurra and Jamestown, and an extensive farming and pastoral territory, has been the favored constituency of several leading South Australian politicians, some of whom were non-residents there. It was known that Mr. Holder had a close accjuaintance with the country and the wants of the population ; and as his addresses were always intelligent, and he was considered to be a man of superior talent, he was returned first on the poll. His political career has since been so distinguished, that his seat is now recognised as probably the safest in the Assembly. At any rate, the electors have from time to time expressed their confidence in his worth by returning him by overwhelming majorities at each subsequent election. And this reputation has been attained by high ability in .State service rather than by log-rolling or the fulsome promises of the " roads and bridges " politician. Few local politicians have travelled more widely in .South Australia, whether in the desolate interior or the remote .South-East. Immediately after entering the House, Mr. Holder demonstrated that he was a man of promise. His utterances were well thought out, concise, and polished. As a debater, he is fluent; and it might even be said that he is in the forefront of ' Australian debaters. He was always a rapid speaker, who halted as little in a budget speech weighted with many figures, as upon .some abstract theme. Hesides being a thinker, he is a student, well read on every subject that ordinarily comes within the cognisance of the House. In his first two .sessions of Parliament, Mr. Holder had already made his mark, and was looked upon as a likely man for Ministerial office. This came at what was |)ractically the first opportunity. In June, 1889, Dr. Cockburn carried a vote of want of confidence in the Playford Government. He formed a Cabinet, which took office on the 27th of the same month, with Mr. Holder as Treasurer. The latter applied himself to
