298 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. sir J. W. Downer by Sir John. The clauses of the ti^reat Commonwealth Hill, the most liberal and enlightened ever projected, bear the impress of his drafting skill, he with Messrs. Barton and O'Connor having been appointed the Executive of the Convention, under the title of "The Drafting Committee. " During his long public career, Sir John Downer has been prominently and actively associated with all public movements of any moment. On behalf of the colonies he has attended numerous conferences, and proved himself instrumental in advancing various interests entrusted to his guidance. He is a member of the University Council, and holds honorable positions in connection with organisations and institutions for promoting the social well-being of the community. His legal attainments were fittingly rewarded by his appointment, in 1878, as a O.C. Sir John's professional and political achievements entitle him to sit in the forefront of Australia's most eminent and useful citizens. Few can produce a record so unchequered in its altruistic designs and attainments. The products of his legislative construction are still bearing their fruits in a prosperous and growing Province. He was no mere politician of the passing hour ; the range of his submitted mea.sures extended to an horizon which only a far-seeing and gifted eye could discern. The future, as well as the pressing needs of the present, seem each to obtain from the devising mind of Sir John its due share of careful attention. His legislative labors are writ large in the political development of South Australian history, and will remain as a monument to his disinterested activity and able public endeavors to promote the weal of his native land. The late Samuel Beddome, Police Magistrate THE gentleman who forms the subject of this memoir was one of the most upright magistrates who ever presided in a South Australian Court of Law. He was a man of much worldly wisdom who had a keen, penetrating judgment, and that wise acquaintance of human character which he combined with a knowledge of close reasoning necessary to the proper administration of the law. He was born in Manchester in 181 7, and came to South Australia in 1843. For ten years prior .to his arrival in South Australia he followed various avocations. The first two years of his colonial life were devoted to farming jiursuits, but he came to Adelaide in October, 1845, and entered the Public Service as clerk in the Local Court, with the rank of constable, remaining in this clerical capacity till the end of 1856. On January i, 1857, he was promoted to the Police Magistracy. The first Police Court over which Mr. Beddome presided was located in the old building which used to stand where the Telegraph and Money Order Departments of the General Post Office are now situated. For T,2,y2 years Mr. Beddome sat as Police Magistrate, retiring on July 31, 1890, amid unfeigned expressions of general regret. He died in April, 1898 — one of the most esteemed citizens of Adelaide. Mr. Beddome was a stern upholder of the strict impartiality of the Bench ; and he carried out his duties fearlessly and in consonance with right and justice.
