"■"•DM^^dy ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 485 to his crops from this cause, at ^,4,000. He very earnestly pressed the subject on the attention of Pariiament, and was largely instrumental in inducing the Government to adopt remedial measures. Mr. Moody did not offer himself for re-election in 1881, but in 1884 he was again returned for Light. In 1887 he retired, and did not come forward again until 1890, when he was defeated after a close contest. The electors, however, once more e.xpressed their sense of his worth in 1896; but in 1899 he again suffered defeat. His knowledge of the country, gained in a long experience, and his sensible views on other subjects, constituted Mr. Moody a serviceable member of Parliament. His record is one of useful deeds. Brigadier-General Gordon DURING recent years the South Australian military forces have been reorganised, and in this work that highly-esteemed officer, Brigadier-General Gordon, has been the leading spirit. He is practically the father of the present laws relating to the forces, and has pursued cjuite a distinguished career in colonial military affairs. Brigadier- General Gordon was born in the year 1856, at Xeres, Andalusia, Spain, where his father was British Consul. He came to South Australia in 1881. F"or five months he acted as drill-instructor to the Mounted Police, after which he was appointed Lieutenant-Staff Instructor of the Rifle Volunteer Force. He was, in September, 1882, gazetted Lieutenant in command of the Permanent Military F"orce, and his quick pi emotions have been well earned. He devoted himself enthusiastically to organising the force, and in August, 1883, got a captain's commission, and in May, 1885, a major's. Six months after the latter date he was appointed Acting Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General of the Military Forces, and on May 24, 1886, Hon. A. D. C. to his ILxcellency the Governor. Two years later, in the absence of the Commandant — from P'ebruary i, 1888, to April i, 1888 — he held the position of Acting Commandant of the Forces, with the rank of Colonel. Again, in November, 1892, upon the departure of Major-General Downes, he occupied the same important office, and in March, 1893, received the popular and distinguished appointment of Commandant, with the rank of Colonel on the Staff. In 1894-5 '^ "^^ "^l- dealing with the Defence Forces, was drafted, and at the request of the Government, Brigadier-General Gordon undertook the difficult task. It provided for the re-organisation of the Forces, and embodied all the principles recommended for inclusion in the P'"ederal P'orces Act. The Bill was pa.ssed in December, 1895, and the new regulations were published in May, 1896. Brigadier-General Gordon, who, on February 29, 1892, married P3ily, second daughter of the late Mr. Edward F'itzgerald, of Castlemaine, Victoria, has the distinction of holding 14 commissions — two in the Imperial Service, and 12 in the service of South Australia. His colonial career has been a bundle of felicitous circumstances which, in honoring himself has advantaged the Province. His work in connection with the Permanent Force, with the South Australian Defences Act, and as Commandant of the local forces, has marked him out as a military officer of superior talent and high standing.
