Page:Notable South Australians.djvu/207

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OR, COLONISTS—PAST AND PRESENT.
171

quarantine station, and in August 1873 was sent by the Government to Melbourne to collect information and report upon the management and details of the institution in Yictoria. He was of opinion that complete isolation could be best insured by quarantine ships; but this method had many disadvantages, and Torrens Island has since been judged a suitable site for a quarantine station. The office of Immigration Agent was abolished in 1868 or 1869, when immigration was discontinued, but in Feb. 1873 it was resumed, and Dr. Duncan took his old position, which he held until his death. The strain of the anxiety and trouble in connection with the "British Enterprise" proved too great for Dr. Duncan's never robust, and at that time failing health. When the ship was released from quarantine he applied to the Government for twelve months' leave of absence; but the rest came too late, and, after being confined to his room for weeks, he died on February 24, 1878, aged 66. Dr. Duncan was a man of sedentary tastes, and although his duties brought him much into active life, his preference was for that of a scholar. His reading was extensive, and comprised, besides professional and modern works, an intimate acquaintance with the Latin and Greek classical authors, and he also took much interest in chemical studies and experiments. Dr. Duncan was one of the Governors of St. Peter's College for many years.


C. W. F. Trapmann,

WHO was for many years in business as a brewer and beer bottler at Hindmarsh, and three times Mayor of that town, arrived in this colony in 1849. He was in the Y.M.F., and held the rank of Major. He was also a prominent Freemason, and connected with the St. Andrew's Lodge of the Scotch Constitution. He died at Hindmarsh, June 14, 1885, aged 46.