Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/481

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

M^A"»y ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 455 Property Act, which he assisted the late Sir R. R. Torrens and others to carry, and the Sale of State Lands on Credit Act, which he introduced into, and carried through, the Assembly. The latter measure was productive of much good in enabling small settlers to take up land, and pay for it after they had obtained some returns from their selections. Mr. Hay was a consistent and strenuous supporter of the transcontinental telegraph line. Mr. Hay made three trips from South Australia to the old country, and on the occasion of his last visit, in 1893, he was made Hon. Executive Commissioner for South Australia at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. He also sat as a deleo-ate from the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce at a united congress of kindred bodies in the British metropolis. In both of these capacities he acquitted himself with grtiat credit. After his retirement from politics, Mr. Hay led a (juiet life, devoting himself to looking after his extensive jxistoral interests, supervising affairs from Adelaide. It was whilst away at Port Victor, in January, 1898, that he died, greatly to the sorrow of South Australia generally. Mr. Hay was one of the most esteemed citizens of Adelaide. The sympathetic and kindly interest evinced by him in connection with many forms of social advancement, the warm and glowing spirit which seemed to suffuse his every word and deed, won him general popularity and esteem. The late Mr. James Bath MANY successful colonists of South Australia are under a debt of gratitude to the late Mr. James Bath for his patience in guiding their early tuition, and the kindly advice he gave them in their later years, which has enabled them to fill positions of influence in the Province with credit to themselves and their teacher. Mr. Bath was born in Wiltshire in 1833, and at 17 years of age was employed in teaching. Reading the glowing accounts published by Messrs. Wilkinson and Byrne, he decided to emigrate, and landed in South Australia from the barque .Is/a in 1851. He took charge of the Christ Church .School, and was one of the few men left in Adelaide when the exodus to Victoria took place at the time of the gold fever. After 10 years' mastership he severed his connection with the Christ Church -School, and opened a private school, which he conducted with success, until, in 1867, he was appointed secretary to the Board of Education ; and when the Board was succeeded by the Council of Education, Mr. Bath still held his position. In 1883 he received the appointment of secretary to the Minister of Education, which appointment he held until his death, on May 20, 1901, serving under no fewer than 14 Ministers, one of them being a former pupil. He rendered the Province good service as secretary of the Postal Conference in 1890, and of the Rust in Wheat Conference. Mr. Bith also acted as private secretary to the Right Hon. C. C. Kingston during the Federal Convention in Melbourne. Mr. Bath's invariable courtesy endeared him to all with whom he came into contact, and his death was deeply regretted.