Page:Notable South Australians.djvu/26

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NOTABLE SOUTH AUSTRALIANS;

Commission formed to enquire into the state of the public accounts, and gave material assistance in drawing up a valuable report on the subject. For many years he was a local Director of the Bank of Australasia. He was a man of quiet demeanour and gentlemanly deportment. In Parliament he spoke seldom, and never took up time in referring to subjects which he did not thoroughly understand. Owing, it is believed to business troubles, Mr. Watts's intellect became weakened, and for some time prior to his death he disappeared from the commercial world, to the sorrow of a large circle of friends and well wishers.


Charles J. Valentine, J.P.,

BORN December, 1834, at Woodbrooks, Chailey, Sussex, England. Is the youngest son of the Rev. C P. Valentine, Unitarian Minister, of Lewes. During the gold mining fever in Victoria, he left England with his elder brother and landed in Melbourne, November, 1852. After a few months stay in the neighborhood, not being tempted by the attractions of the gold diggings, they left Victoria, and settled in the south-eastern district of South Australia, then more popularly known as Mosquito Plains. He was engaged in pastoral pursuits (with the exception of a few months) up to the year 1865, when, on the retirement of Mr. H. T. Morris, J.P., the Chief Inspector of Sheep, he received that appointment. During his term of office the flocks have been completely cleaned of scab, and have remained free for over fourteen years. The duties of the department have expanded, as at present cattle, horses, swine, dogs, and camels are all brought under the supervision of the Chief Inspector. Acts have been passed for the regulating and registration of brands and marks on stock, also for the prevention of mutilating the ears of cattle and sheep. Quarantine depots for both foreign