Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/235

 k Conclusions ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 209 life, his Lordship speedily showed that he was able to adapt himself to new conditions, entered heartily into the interests of colonial life, and proved himself fully equal to the position. His genial disposition, sound judgment, and wise counsels on many important questions, were highly appreciated by all classes of the community. Of course the city and its residents have not been exempt from depression during the period. There has not been that increase in population which might be expected during a series of good years, and building operations have been limited. The trade of city merchants and retailers has been restricted, while every department of energy has been affected. But here, as in the country, the citizens have shown admirable pati(nce. Despite dull years, many substantial improvements have been effected. The water supi)ly has been rendered more reliable In* the construction of the Happy Valley Reservoir, at a cost of ^493,458. The electric light has been installed, and .numerous smaller undertakings have been carried out. Instead of a diminution, there has been an increase in the total amount of the assessments. From ^390,374 15s- i" 1889, they were placed at ^429,369 in 1900. The finances of the Corporation are in a satisfactory condition, P^^^„ House, Botanic Gardens and the public health is decidedly good. The jwpulation on January 1, 1900, was put down at 41,005, and that of the Province, including the Northern Territory, at 373,378. The successive Mayors have been :— 1889, Mr. James Shaw, J.P. ; 1890-r, Mr. Lewis Cohen, M.F. ; 1892, Mr. F. W. Bullock, J.P. ; 1893-4, ^Ir. Charles Willcox, J.P. ; and 1895-6-7-8. Mr. Charles Tucker, J.P. ; while Mr. A. W. Ware has been elected for 1899 and 1900. On January 24, 1898, Mr. Thomas Worsnop, Town Clerk since 1869, and author of two us(ful publications dealing with the metropolis, died in Adelaide, and Mr. Adam Wright was appointed to the vacancy, but resigned shortly after, Mr. T. G. Ellery succeeding him. No depression such as could ever visit .South Australia could detract from the beauty or permanently prejudicially affect the importance of its capital. Adelaide as a picture is as beautiful as any capital city in the world-wide British Empire. As an object