baptismal name of Kalgoorlie. He found it a place in name only, for as yet there were only three working leases—Cassidy's Hill, Maritana, and Hannan's Reward. Few prospectors awoke the deathlike universal silence by the click and clatter of their trusty picks and shovels, and though the quartz for miles around was thickly studded with burnished gold, there were few hunters to seize the prizes. With difficulty Mr. Hair succeeded in organising a prospecting party, which equally divided its labours—a party of two, comprising Mr. Hair, going in search of reefs, and the remaining two going in search of alluvial gold. The profits and surplus earnings and gleanings of the latter were but sufficient to compensate for the losses and ill-starred luck of the former. The difference was great enough, however, to enable them to buy a further store of provisions. Again they set to work, and in a month's time they pegged out the Black Crow Claim, which was re-named the Star of the East, and sold to an English company. A great water famine overtook them, and Mr. Hair's chicken-hearted comrades, for weal or woe, abandoned him just at a time when their company was most necessary. Undaunted by their defection, he, with all the vigour that his body could furnish, wrought his leases. He never relinquished his hopes, nor let his courage die, and his joy after suffering was great when an abundant supply of water came to cool what had become a feverish and thirsty tongue.
With renewed energy, after trying experiences, he joined Mr. Harry Buchanan, and went out again to seek and find. The result of their combined prospecting efforts was the opening up of the Six-Mile, and a number of rich alluvial fields. These latter were as rich as anything in Hannan's, and more than once was it their happy lot to stoop down and pick up from the surface large teeth-watering nuggets of twenty-five ounces weight. Mr. Hair successfully worked the alluvial claims, and took out a lease for the Morning Star Mine, which for the present, however, did not engage his active attentions. This undeveloped mine the two gentlemen disposed of in three months time to an English company for £3,000. Mr. Hair's career on the goldfields had been one continual series of hard, enterprising endeavours. He now considered that the adoption of a different department of commercial life would be a judicious departure, and a welcome respite. Acting on such reflections, he started business in Hannan's as an auctioneer, and conducted several important Government sales of land blocks, which realised £36,000. When speculation became more general, he went in for stock and sharebroking, and in partnership with Mr. George Macleod Matheson, he initiated a large stockbroking business in Kalgoorlie. These gentlemen were the promoters of the Kalgoorlie Stock Exchange and Mr. Matheson was elected its first chairman. On his demise the vacant chairmanship fell to the lot of Mr. Hair. He has since successfully filled that post, and carried out the many responsible duties attached to it.
He acted as chairman of the Kalgoorlie Railway Opening Committee. In this capacity he was warmly thanked for his sound methodical advice and practical assistance. His love for sports rises to enthusiasm. He is vice-president of the Kalgoorlie Racing Club and the Kalgoorlie Athletic Club, and is associated with many others. Mr. Hair is a member of the Hannan's Club, and was one of its promoters. This club is social in character, and is of indispensable use to its many members.
Bound closely to the interests of Kalgoorlie, Mr. Hair is applying his energies and shrewdness to the good of the centre. Genial and businesslike, he is at once one of the best known and best liked men on the fields. He is a leader in mining affairs.
JOHN HOWARD TAYLOR, M.L.C.
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Photo by JOHN HOWARD TAYLOR, M.L.C. Greenham & Evans. |
WHEN the gold era of Western Australia was inaugurated in the eighties, men from various shores came thronging in to develop her promising resources. The spectacle of their subsequent work was stirringly impressive. There, over far distant deserts, where had reigned the sombre silence and death-like hush of centuries, where far in the shimmering, heated horizon was one unchanging stretch of desolate waste, slumbering idly beneath a torrid sun, the hardy band of bold adventurers forced their way. With pick and spade, and joyous clatter, they made the earth disgorge her costly treasures. An astonished, half-credulous world read of the greatness of their finds, and the trumpet was sounded for the onward march.
Just as in the construction of some noble palace or piazza mind and body designed and executed, so here science, skill, and physical rigour did each their ample share. Prospectors and miners of muscular strength and inexhaustible energy went scouring for material, and quarried it, while talent drew out the plans, and designed the architecture.
