and affection for the mind; and no sooner had they parted with an inch than they bought a foot—taking over the large station of Mulye. It was soon after this that Mr. Grant, in conjunction with Messrs. Harper and Anderson, became engaged in the pearling industry. Anderson left the firm shortly after, and Edgar took his place. They were interested in the pearling industry for eight and a half years, and were highly successful in their collective efforts. Mr. Grant still holds a share in the De Grey Station. Pardu Station, adjoining the former, was acquired by Messrs. Anderson, Edgar, and Grant. Then, striking out on an investment of his own, Mr. Grant bought, fourteen years ago, Newinerricurra sheep and cattle station. Simultaneously with this purchase, he bought the Glengarry sheep station in the Victoria Plains district. He holds, besides all these enumerated, a huge paddock for cattle-rearing, which he bought from Sir John Forrest, and a thousand-acre estate near Geraldton, where he rears horses.
Virgil and other pastoral poets have cast such a ring of romance about a life like this as almost to deny to it any active, energetic nature. Mackenzie Grant was not, at all events, of that dreamy nature which leads to apathy and disconcern. Active and eager to give scope to his rich capabilities, he hurried on from one scene to one of greater scope. His speculations were always attended with considerable gain. At an early period of this colony, when as yet its mineral resources were unknown and undeveloped, it is to those men who farmed the agricultural and pastoral resources of the country that the chief thanks for its development is due. And no one deserves more than Mr. Mackenzie Grant.
[Since the above was written, we regret to hear of Mr. Grant's demise.]
JOHN WILLIAM FIMISTER.
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Photo by JOHN W. FIMISTER. Falconer. |
WHAT can be more natural than the desire for unimpeded control? A man grows tired of the same monotonous surroundings, and of his own thankless task to please a feverish, pettish public. Competition—a huge spirit-crushing engine—makes many thoughtful minds revert to an insatiable longing for simplicity, for that pristine equality which characterised the happy life-span of our ancestors. Free nomadic life, with its peaceful harmonious reign, seems to be the only panacea for all our socialistic grievances and disputes. Many whose reflections point thus should be tolerably happy in the existence of the goldfields, where the completest approximation to the golden past reigns undisturbed. Here there is pleasure, excitement, and liberty, with a rich harvest for the willing reaper. He who once enters on his unconventional peace-unbroken life, bids a hearty adieu to his former surroundings.
Mr. Fimister is one who had attained his fair share of success in the commercial world, but had forsaken its iron bonds for the open fields of Westralia, where his own physical and mental gifts obtained for him their true deserts. He was born in Malmsbury, Victoria, in 1867. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to a carriage-building firm, and on becoming master of the craft he pursued his skilled avocation in the North-East district of Victoria for many years. His mechanical abilities, coupled with his industrious attachment to business, had been instrumental in extending his business reputation. With a sincere desire to please his patrons, he laboured with uncommon zeal to produce articles of workmanship whose superiority of finish and design would more than compensate for his expense in energy. At last he grew weary of his skilled handicraft, and his efforts groaned under their superimposed burdens. Bright visions of vast deserts with embosomed gold were relieving hopes. He had taken an active and eager interest in the exploits and achievements of goldfield heroes, and had closely noticed the wide scope the fields offered for energy and fortitude.
In 1890 he announced his intended departure to his friends and patrons, who conveyed their deepest feelings of regret by more than mere external words. With a multitude of earnest wishes for his fortune he sailed for Western Australia in that same year. On his arrival he proceeded to the Murchison, which at that early period showed signs of auriferous productivity. Within that territory he visited Nannine and the Horseshoe Bend, at the head of the Gascoyne. He remained on these fields for two years, during which period he had traversed most of the province, and had prospected with appreciable success. He left for Perth in 1892, and from there picked his way to Southern Cross. It was while he was at that place that the late Arthur Bayley came into Southern Cross, bearing the news of his rich find in Coolgardie. In a moment all Southern Cross was a scene of activity and bewildering excitement. The news had spread like wildfire over the town; miners came thronging in from far and near, and all fed joyously on the auspicious tidings. Parties were immediately formed; preparations and equipments were completed for he expedition with incredible celerity. Mr. Fimister joined in
