commandant. Thus, with his work as Commissioner of Police, and in the volunteer service, Colonel Phillips had little spare time. In 1880 he was appointed commandant by the Governor, but was subsequently succeeded by Colonel Fleming, an Imperial Officer. Colonel Phillips now retired from the local forces with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and devoted his undivided attention to the police forces.
During recent years he has been compelled to exercise all his ingenuity and ability in the control of the Western Australian police. The population has so increased, and so many new and remote communities have been established, that the police forces have had to be augmented. Colonel Phillips proved himself a master in organising ability. Notwithstanding the presence of numerous undesirable characters, who have migrated hither, like old-time bloodthirsty camp followers of victorious armies, to rob those following the victorious march, crime has not increased in proportion to the increase of population. Every centre and district is well served; the Western Australian police are a fine body of men. Colonel Phillips exercises judgment in his appointment of new members to the service, and he has cleverly placed his forces so as to secure effective administration. During his term of office he has had to conduct numerous important criminal cases for the Crown, the histories of which would supply startling matter for novels.
Colonel Phillips has been twice married; in 1869 to the second daughter of Mr. Edward Gustavus Hare, one time Superintendent of Police, and afterwards Government Resident at Albany; and on the second occasion to a daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Burges, "Tipperary," York. Colonel Phillips has a fine military presence. Whether in the Colonial Secretaryship, in the military forces, or in the control of the local police forces, he has acquitted himself with distinction, and is to be reckoned among the large number of local born public men who have placed the colony under debts of gratitude for their public services.
AUGUST SCHEIDEL, Ph.D.
EVER since the renaissance in Italy, a few centuries ago, Europe, more or less, has been dominated by an eager scientific research, which recently has goaded on to destruction and construction the best and strongest intellects of her races. Unflinching in their ambitious desires for mental superiority, her peoples still buckle on their armour and strive as if their best life's blood, the fair name and honour of their flag, were at stake. Success has been submerged beneath the glories of a greater success, and victories and counter-victories still hold the final issue undecided, yet claim from each combatant the golden mead of valour.
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Photo by AUGUST SCHEIDEL, PH.D. Hemus & Hall. |
In that glorious rivalry which has showered heaps of unexpected and incredible gains on humanity, Germany stands out crowned and decorated with fairer laurels than any. When one hears of such names as Bunsen and the immortal Helmholtz, of Kant and Leibnitz, he must crush out prejudice from his breast and concede the palm to her science halls. The Universities of Germany have held the premier place in science and philosophy for many years, and this is the admission of all who profess the slightest acquaintance with the relative positions and attainments of the many enlightened countries. Yet the wave of intellectual influence has rolled towards the Golden West. America may soon, with her increasing powers, say calmly, yet majestically, to the scientific reputation of the older hemisphere, "Ancient brethren, next to me."
Not a few scientists have come to Australia from Germany to wind the reel of progress. Dr. August Scheidel is one of these, and his name contributes and will contribute to the status of Westralian goldfields. Dr. Scheidel was born in Heidelberg in 1859. He underwent the usual classical education in the German Gymnasium—the kind of education which has secured for Germany a place in the front line of nations. He was then a student, and to fight upwards he became assistant to Dr. Fresenius, the famous professor of chemistry, metallurgy, and mineralogy—the father of chemical analysis—in his laboratory, Wiesbaden, to which students flock from all parts of the world. Dr. Scheidel readily saw that a thorough chemical education and extensive practice in chemical analysis would prove of paramount importance to his professional success. With learning that would have amply fitted him for the duties of his profession he passed to the
