Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/301

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His Honor J. G. Russell ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 275 with the late Mr. J. A. Hartley and others in endeavoring to found a superannuation fund for the whole public service. He has served on many public Hoards of IiKjuiry, and as Chairman, appointed by the Supreme Court, on the winding up of the Commercial Hank of South Australia, performed delicate and important duties. As Commissioner of Insolvency and as Acting Judge, Mr. Russell has added to the respected name which he so well earned in his numerous other important offices. His knowledge of the insolvency law is very thorough, and his JLidgment has been above reproach. Since taking up these duties he has been called upon to adjudicate in very difficult cases, and in these, as in his office of administrator of the land and income tax, his findings have given general satisfaction. Mr. Russell has a keen, analytical mind and safe powers of discrimination. He is able to cjuickly grasp large and intricate problems and to reduce them to simple issues. There are few members of the South Australian Civil Service bearing such honorable records as his, and few (;njoy such general regard and esteem. Mr. J. M. Stuart, Q.C., Croimi Solicitor JAMES MARTIN STUART was born at Aberdeen, New Zealand, on September 20, 1834. He was educated in his native village, and served in the Imperial Post- office in the South Island for four years prior to the establishment of local government. In 1854 he removed to Victoria. For a short period young Stuart connected himself with banking affairs. He came to South Australia in 1861, and became a State school teacher. When 36 years of age he was counigeous enough to apply himself to the study of law. In 1870 he took articles from .Sir J. P. Boucaut, and in 1875, at the age of 41, was admitted as a barrister, joining the firm of Boucaut & Hruse. Soon after .Sir J. P. Houcaut's elevation to the Bench, Mr. .Stuart accepted the positions of Justice of the Peace, S[)ecial Magistrate of the Local Court of Adelaide, and Commissioner of Insolvency. He occupied these positions with credit until 1889, when he was appointed Crown Prosecutor and Crown Solicitor. Mr. .Stuart has acted temporarily as Commissioner of Patents, Commissioner of Trade Marks, and Solicitor to the Lands Titles Department, in the absence of Mr. Turner, the permanent holder of these offices. Mr. .Stuart was made a O.C. in 1900. Notwithstanding that he was 40 years of age before entering into the practice of his present profession, Mr. .Stuart must be said to have had a bright career. It must be exceedingly gratifying to himself to know that his courage has been so well rewarded and his success so substantial in law. He is a man of great industrx', and one who can begin a wrestle with some abstruse problem with a smile. His demeanor is dignified and thoughtful, and there are few mcjre familiar figures at the Law Courts than his. His is a remarkable life, and one worthy of commendation and emulation.