Mr. J. H Finiayson ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 431 exceptionally liberal-minded and high-principled man, for much of his success in life. Shortly after leaving school, Mr. Finlayson was appointed to the literary staff of the Register by the then editor, the late Mr Anthony Forster. He entered upon his journalistic duties in December, 1861, and has been connected with the Register and its allied newspapers ever since. His chief characteristics as a reporter consisted in his extraordinary capacity for hard work and in the keen interest he took in public affairs ; and the reward of his industry and proved aptitude for journalistic work was not long in coming. In 1866 — five years after his first appointment — upon the death of Mr. Patrick Parkinson, he became chief of the reporting staff. His rise in his profession was rapid ; and during the career, as chief leader-writer of the Register, of Mr. W. R. Lawson — afterwards editor of a journal in Scotland, and at present a financial authority on the London Stock Exchange — he became assistant leader-writer, acting in a similar capacity when the late respected Mr. J. Howard Clark assumed the editorial control. In 1876 he visited the United States, England, and th(^ Continent, primarily as the representative of the Register at the Philadelphia Exhibition, and, under instructions, appointed correspondents in New York and the leading capitals of Europe. Some of these, such as Mr. W. L. Alden and Mr. Beattie Kingston, were men of especial brilliancy. While in the States, Mr. Finlayson travelled to and fro, contributing instructive and entertaining articles to his paper. During Mr. P'inlayson's absence on this occasion, Mr. E. W. Andrews, one of the proprietors of the Register, died in South Australia, and Mr. Finlayson, together with Mr. R. Kyffin Thomas and the late Mr. Charles Day, who had also for many years been prominently associated with the paper, received an offer of partnership on advantageous terms. On his return to the Province he accepted the offer, and became assistant editor. In the course of the next 15 months, both of the old proprietors, Mr. W. K. Thomas and Mr. J. Howard Clark, died, and the management devolved upon the three new members. When Mr. Day retired a few years ago, Messrs. Finlayson and Thomas became sole proprietors; but on July 1, 1899, Mr. VV. J. Sowden (Mr. iMnlayson's successor in the editorship of the Register) and Mr. E. Kyffin Thomas were admitted to the proprietary. Upon the death of Mr. Clark, Mr. Finlayson took charge of the editorial department — a work for which he had been prepared by the duties falling upon him during the lengthy illness of the former occupant. It may be here mentioned that a long list of able men, who attained considerable fame in South Australia, had preceded him in the chair; and it would have been very natural for him to feel burdened with the sense of a heavy responsibility. But his clear insight, excellent judgment, and vigorous pen sustained him, and ttt- Register continued as vital a force as before. It is a mere act of justice to say that Mr. Finlayson has very materially affected the political history of the Province, and considerably extended the infiuence of the journal he so ably conducted. Many of the legislative successes for which those prominently engaged in the political arena have received the chief, if not the sole, credit are traceable to him. In particular, he played an important part in securing (he adoption of the admirable system <jf public elementary education now in force in the Province. As Premier of a Ministry connected with an infiuential Parliamentary Club established in Adelaide more
