extending this branch of the business, and is importing iron, Baltic pine, and Oregon. He has established large sawmills in Perth.
Mr. Ferguson is, as will be seen by his biography, a prosperous business man. In all his ventures he has been successful, not by mere luck, but by personally managing his business. A kindly man, with a pleasant cheerful manner, he is naturally held in high esteem by all whose privilege it is to know him. Just in his dealings, considerate in his actions, and charitable in his prosperity, he stands forth proudly an honest man.
JOHN DAVIES.
POPULAR approval and appreciation, limited and fluctuating as they may be in quantity, have yet certain valuable symptoms of sincerity which are qualitatively superior. Perhaps a little probing is necessary to discover these latent virtues, which form a component part of our judgment or conduct. And whatever may be our attitude towards many disinterested services for our common good, we must frankly admit the extensive claims of some on our praise.
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Photo by JOHN DAVIES. Greenham & Evans. |
Among the indefinite some the power that manipulates with ease and skill the system of railway rolling stock, which tides us safely and quickly from one point to the other, cannot be adequately estimated. When a system has direct reference to our own security it becomes more a matter of deep moment and concern. We have to depend on the administrative genius of the manager, and its difficult for the lay mind to conceive the complex dimensions of the task. A glance at the time-table will show a perfect system of harmony, regularity, and mathematics, and though we are ignorant of the intricate machinery and principles of operation, we express our admiration of the guiding mind, but naturally narrow the margin of just merit.
That sincerity which we noted as a valuable characteristic amounts to these admissions, though the conclusion is blurred by the introduction of other considerations. The public has now in its power great facilities; its sensibilities, formerly acute, have become blunted by custom from the very fact that now people expect universal perfection, having long enjoyed partial perfection. It is only when as travellers they are comfortably seated in their carriage that a thought strikes them sideways of the great possibilities for accidents, and they banish this uncomfortable reflection by relying on the directing ability of the head. Limiting the sphere of railways to the rapidly-growing colony of Western Australia, our remarks apply more forcibly than ever. Not only feelings of respect and sincere admiration must be felt for the energetic manager of her lines—Mr. Davies—but a tinge of sympathy for what must be continual harassing worry.
Mr. Davies was born in Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1858. In the Morley House Grammar School—an institution of considerable scholastic reputation—he received his early education. Of a practical mould of mind, he devoted himself to the commercial side of education, and gained sufficient training to warrant his embarking on the world's uncertain course. Entering the services of the Cambrian Railway Company, he signed indenture-papers for five years' apprenticeship. During these five years he laboured unceasingly to make himself master of every detail in every department. This bold determination led him to serve in every branch of the company's offices, and his ambition for knowledge was sated to the full. With energy and uncommon rigour he studied carefully every principle and tutored himself in every practical concern. On the expiration of his period of apprenticeship he was appointed chief relieving officer in the same company's employ, and filled every successive post to the general satisfaction. His duties consisted of relieving principal station masters along the line,which embraced a stretch of 250 miles. To him these duties were light and easy, and he was suited to some more responsible post. He took charge of the Aberdovey station for seven years, where he filled the dual positions of station and harbour master.
Young as he was at this period, his abilities and developing resources were recognised by the Central Wales and Caermarthen Junction Railway Company, who pressed him to accept the responsible position of general manager under them. Fully cognisant of its manifold requirements, he was keenly alive to such an extreme responsibility. He accepted the proffered appointment, and was efficiently supervising and bettering the system till 1892, when the Western Australian Government appointed him General Traffic Manager of their Railways.
He came to Western Australia in 1892 on a five years' engagement, which terminated on the 31st December, 1896. A perfect revelation and unexpected scene met his eyes. At home railway systems were established on a firm basis, and complete regularity and efficiency were maintained throughout. Here it
