Notable South Australians/Charles Bonney
Charles Bonney.
THIS venerable South Australian pioneer arrived in Sydney, N.S.Wales, in 1834, to occupy a Government appointment. In 1836 he went into the country, where his first bush experience was an attempt to find a route for stock from the Murray to the new settlement of Port Phillip. In consequence of the flooded state of the rivers he was compelled to return, but went out in December in the same year, and safely reached his destination early in 1837. In the following March he took the first sheep, (a mob of 10,000) overland to the new settlement. In January, 1838, Mr. Bonney accompanied the first overland expedition with stock to South Australia, and in the following year went in charge of an expedition with cattle to open a direct road from Port Phillip to this colony through the Portland Bay district. After encountering difficulties from want of water, he succeeded in reaching Adelaide. In 1842, Mr. Bonney accepted the office of Commissioner of Crown Lands, and held it until the establishment of responsible Government in 1857. Was a member of the House of Assembly in the first Parliament, and held the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands until 1858, when the Ministry went out of office, and he visited England. Returned to the colony in 1862, in connection with a Mining Company, and in 1865 was elected a member of the Legislative Council. Accepted the office of Manager of Railways in 1869, and in 1871 became Inspector of Lands purchased on credit. Mr. Bonney finally retired from the Public Service in 1880. He at present resides in Sydney, New South Wales, but, as of yore, takes great interest in South Australia. Recently his portrait was placed in the Town Hall, Norwood, the Corporation of which have taken this step to show their appreciation of one who was the first and most popular Mayor of that Municipality.