Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/264

 238 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Right Hon. C. C. Kingston popular school of the late Mr. J. L. Young ; and in March, 1868, was articled to Mr. S. J. Way (now the Right Hon. Chief Justice Way), at that time a rising lawyer in the city. Admitted to practice at the South Australian Bar in 1873, Mr. Kingston, after a period of uphill work, made rapid headway in his profession, and "took silk" in 1889. His heart and time have, however, always been so enthusiastically and entirely giv(n to public affairs and the legislative arena that his private practice has never attained to the extent that it would otherwise have most certainly reached. With forensic talents admittedly of a very high order, his principal and almost his only love has always been for [)olitics. In 1881 he took the first step in his political career by coming forward as a candidate for the House of Assembly for West Adelaide. He was then 30 years old, and untried in public affairs. But it was not long before it was clearly recognised that West Adelaide had as its representative one of the ablest men in Australia, and until he resigned his seat in 1899, he continuously represented that Democratic constituency. In the House of Assembly Mr. Kingston's light did not long remain hidden under a bushel. Sir John Colton recognised his talents by selecting him as Attorney- General in the Ministry which took office on June 16, 1884. For exactly 12 months he carried out the duties of that post ; and during that time he amply fulfilled the expectations formed of him. His legal skill, and his capacity for hard work, won general attention ; and more than one member of Parliament jirophesied that his career would be a distinguished one. The Downer- Bray Ministry, which succeeded to the Colton administra- tion, held office until June, 1887. Then the Hon. Thomas Playford was entrusted with the forming of his first ministry. That prominent and popular politician has ever been one of Mr. Kingston's most constant admirers, and the latter does not disguise his gratefulness for the assistance Mr. Playford has rendered him in his political career. Under Mr. Playford, Mr. Kingston resumed his old portfolio, which he held for the succeeding two years. During that period Mr. Kingston was referred to as the " Lieutenant of the Premier." He also took a most important part in the debates, and drafted most of the legislation of the Government. While the succeeding Cockburn Government was in office, Mr. Kingston proved the versatility of his powers as a debater. On the Treasury benches strong and confident, in opposition he proved forcibly and fearlessly critical. For 12 months he was a sharp thorn in the side of the Government. The Cockburn administration having fallen, and Mr. Playford having again taken the reins of office, early in 1892 Mr. Kingston succeeded the late Sir John Cox Bray (appointed Agent-General) in the Chief Secretaryship. But in June of that year the Ministry was defeated. Exactly a year later a further change of Government resulted in establishing Mr. Kingston as Premier, he having succeeded in ejecting Sir John Downer from the Treasury benches. P>r years he had been looked upon as a prospective Premier. A pronounced Democrat, his talents were so marked that he was accepted as the champion of the advanced Liberals — and Liberalism was then beginning to be unmistakably in the ascendant in South Australia. Perhaps at no time in the history of South Australia has so talented, and even