Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/159

 The Producers ADELAIDE AND VICINITY T33 intruded his religious views into political mutters. Sir J. W. Kaye, the biographer of Lord Metcalfe, says : — " All Metcalfe's informants re[)resented him (Sir Dominick Daly) to be a man of high honor and integrity, of polished manners and courteous address^ — a good specimen of an Irish gentleman." It was added that " he was possessed of judgment and prudence, tact and discretion ; in short, a man to be trusted." Sir Dominick was born at Ardfry, Galway, Ireland, in 1798, and in 1822 became Private Secretary to Sir Francis Burton, Governor of Lower Canada. In 1827 he was a})pointed Provincial Secretary of Lower Canada; and in 1840, upon the union of Upper and Lower Canada, was promoted to the; Secretaryship of the United Provinces. He held this position until 1848, and during the next four years managed some important commissions for the Imperial Government. He was appointed Governor of Tobago, Windward Islands, in 1852, and Governor of Prince Edward Island in 1854. He occupied the latter office for six years, was knighted in 1856, and for two years prior to coming to South Australia resided in England. During the administration of Sir Richard MacDonnell the volunteer system had been established in the Province, and, on the occasion of war alarms, remarkable activity was evinced in organising the forces. Much interest was taken in the subject in the early part of Sir Dominick Daly's term, and for the same reason defence matters secured general attention, and the efficiency of the volunteers seemed to inspire confidence. Ministerial crises were numerous in these years, and no-confidence motions were debated with almost objectionable frequency. The instability of parties is demonstrfited in the statement that in the first 12 years of responsible government there were 15 absolute changes of Ministry, besides several Cabinet re-constructions. The Premiers who held office during Sir Dominick Daly's administration were : — Mr. VVaterhouse (October 8, 1861, to July 4, 1863); Mr. F. S. Dutton (July 4, 1863, to July 15, 1863); Mr. H. Ayers - afterwards Sir H. Ayers — (July 15, 1863, to August 4, 1864); Mr. Arthur Blyth — afterwards Sir Arthur Blyth — (August 4, 1864, to March 22, 1865) ; Mr. F. S. Dutton (March 22, 1865, to September 20, 1865); Mr. H. Ayers (September 20, 1865, to October 23, 1865); Mr. John Hart (October 23, 1865, to March 27, 1866); Mr. J. P. Boucaut now Sir J. P. Boucaut- (March 28, 1866, to May 2, 1867); and Mr. H. Ayers (May 3, 1867, to September 24, 1868). The third Parliament, which met on February 27, 1863, and was dissolved on January 25, 1865, was particularly harassing. In 1864, legislation was so interrupted that at a public demonstration the resolution was carried " that, in the opinion of this meeting, the scramble for office by members of the House of Assembly, regardless of public policy or political consistency, has delayed the business of the country and is calculated to bring into contempt our present system of government." The House was soon afterwards dissolved, and the fourth Parliament met on March 31, 1865, and existed until March 26, 1868. Its business, which at first was interrupted by rapid changes of Government, was afterwards conducted in a quieter spirit than that of its predecessors ; and towards its close there was a lull in political strife. According to Mr. Harcus, this ministerial rivalry was