The Jubilee ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 189 (who was succeeded by Mr. T. King), as colleagues. This was practically the same Government, under a new leader, and held office (with some change of personnel) until March, 1881. In accordance with the resolutions previously passed in the Assembly, the Morgan Government brought in a Land and Property Tax Hill. The Lower House, apparently with the approval of the public, passed the measure, but the Council rejected it by ten votes to two. From this time a desire to reform that body seemed to become general ; but before anything definite was done, the Chamber brought upon itself further obloquy. In 1878 it rejected railway Bills, th(! object being to discountenance too heavy an expenditure of public money. As it was, a Loan Bill for ;/^2,058,ooo was carried, making the third within a very short period. Under this, railways from Adelaide; to Nairne, Hallett to Terowie, Moonta to Moonta P)ay, Terowie to Pichirichi, and a branch to Jamestown, were authorised — a heavy enough outlay, in connection with the others, for 300,000 people. The Parliamentary session of 1879 was colorless. The Property and Income Tax Bill was again defeated, and the Immigration vote was reduced. The demands of the.se loans upon the revenue began to be seriously felt, and the Budget showed a deficit. In 1880, owing to public works expendi- ture, money seemed to be abundant among the people ; but there was a serious disparity between the State revenue and the expenditure. Mr. J. C. Bray drew particular attention to this point. When Parliament was opened on June 2, 1881, the Morgan Government proposed to curtail exjienditure, impose fair taxation, and to reform the Le^fislative Council. Before the Premier was able to pursue his programme, private circumstances led to his resignation. Mr. G. C. Hawker sought to form a Ministry : but he failed, and eventually Mr. J. C. Bray succeeded, having as colleagues Messrs. L. Clyde, J. W. Downer, Q.C., J. G. Ramsay, Alfred Catt, and J. L. Parsons. Mr. Bray was the first native of South Australia to become premier, and his dexterity in debate, his shrewdness, and his general talents, did honor to the Province. The reform of the Upper House was the great measure of the session. Stow points out that from 1875 to 1881 the Council had thrown out every measure, except one, for taxing property. Public feeling upon its obstructive tactics was frequently expressed in very severe terms. The one-district system had become objectionable ; it prevented representative and represented from knowing much of each other. The object sought to H. M. C. S. Protector
