Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/555

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Mr J J^haw ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 529 into action, he caused many of the chief nuisances to I)e removed at his own expense, and had other necessary work done. When the first Municipal Council was formed, he became the first Mayor of Coolgardie, thus, in obedience to the wish and choice of the people, being the first chief magistrate of the Western goldfields. Hut his election to this office cut two ways ; it was a just tribute to his public spirittdness, and was greatly to the advantage of the town itself. He threw himself with tireless enthusiasm into the work of improving the town, and adopted advanced measures. At this task he worked day and night, and c]uickly created excellent sanitary conditions. He remained in office for 17 months, and, in November, 1895, he retired. There was certainly no more popular man on the goldfields than Mr. Shaw, upon whom was conferred the affectionate title of "Chief." The "Chief" also rendered good service in placing Kalgoorlie under municipal law. So closely was Mr. Shaw engaged in disinterested service that his health again broke down, and in December, 1895, he left the goldfields for the New Zealand sulphur springs. The expressions of esteem announced on the occasion of his departure were heartfelt, for the goldfields' residents do not forget those who have done them service, and banquets were tendered in his honor. While in Coolgardie he held office in different athletic clubs, and was Vice-president of the Chamber of Mines and member of the Stock Exchange from their inception. In 1896 he was asked to contest a goldfields' seat in the Legislative Council of Western Australia, but declined. In Adelaide he has lived a retired life. He is a life member of the North of England (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Institute of Mining Engineers. Both in Adelaide and Coolgardie Mr. Shaw is noted for his charity. The biographer before mentioned declares that in Western Australia " hundreds of needy people have cause to revere his name— the struggling prospector, the poverty-stricken unemployed, the anxious business man who cannot [)ay his wa- : each has come within the range of his benefactions. And the same could be said of the poor of Adelaide. Colonel iVlakin OOUTH AUSTRALIA for its population and the conditions of colonial life, possesses v^ a fairly large force of volunteers, officered by capable local residents, amongst whom is Colonel Makin, who was born at Salford, Lancashire, in 1842, and educated at Blackpool. In June, 1861, he received his first commission as ensign in the 56th Lancashire Rifie Volunteers, now the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Lancashire Inisiliers. In December, 1863, he was commission(;d a lieutenant, and in 1867 a captain, m the same regiment. In 1868 Colonel Makin came to South Australia, and Ijegan a successful mercantile career in Adelaide. When the local volunteer movement was inaugurated in 1877, he received the commission of captain in the Adelaide Rilles, and commanded the Gawler Companv. During 1880, he commanded his regiment for some months. In 1882 he became lieutenant-colonel; in 1885 he was made an hon. aide-de-camp to Governor Sir William C. E. Robinson, and again in 1889 to His Excellency the Earl of Kintore, also subsequently to .Sir T. E. Buxton.