Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/294

 268 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. sir J. p. Boucaut The Ministry of Sir John Collon, who had retired from the Boucaut Cabinet early in 1S76. and whose conduct in subsequently attacking his former chief was the subject of much adverse comment, held ofifice from June, 1876, to October, 1877. It succeeded in carrying part of -Sir James' own scheme. After the defeat of the Colton Government, Sir James Hoiicaut formed a new and stable Ministry. The finances were still in an unsatisfactory condition, and amongst the most important proposals of this Government were property and income taxes. The latter was not agreed to ; but the former, providing for a tax of threepence in the pound on property above ^300 in value, was carried. In 1878 the Premier consented to join the Judiciary. As a politician he had distinguished himself by intrepidity and inflexibility, and to him must be ascribed the credit for much of the prosperity of South Australia during succeeding years. His able, enlightened, and progressive proposals were drawn up under the conscientious belief that they were the very best under the circumstances ; and that he was right has since been abundantly proved. In formulating his schemes he looked beyond the present and reckoned largely on their influence over the future. As a statesman Sir James was distinguished, and one critic doubts whether "his genius is more distinctly legal or political. " Mr. Justice Boucaut has succeeded as ably in the Judiciary as in Parliament. In recent times Sir Samuel Griffiths, in Queensland, is the only other Australian politician who from the front of the fray went direct to the dignified quietude of the Bench ; and both gentlemen were eminently prominent in and useful to their respective Colonies. Mr. Justice Boucaut has now borne the cares of a puisne Judge for over 20 years, and the warrior of the old days is transformed. Those who had known him in Parliament predicted that he would soon tire of the Bench, and "for some years at every election the rumor was spread that the Judge was going to buckle on his discarded armor, and once more fight the battles of his country in Parliament." But he has refused to be enticed away from his dignified position on the Bench, although his friends think that a .seat in the Federal Parliament might tempt him ; and, continues the Rcviciu of Reviews, " he would only have to ask to have, when the time comes." In regard to his conduct as a Judge, the .same writer says that, " bearing in mind the adage that the law is a jealous mistress, he has sedulously devoted almost the whole of his time and learning to his judicial duties . . . Judge Boucaut is an acknowledged master of the Common Law. He is as pronounced as he is learned upon all matters affecting the liberty of the subject, and his judgments upon all such questions speak with trumpet tongue in support of the rights of all sections of the community.'' From October 26 to November 13. 1885, and from February 10 to February 27, 1886, Sir James Boucaut administered the Government during the absence of Sir W. C. F. Robin.son ; and from January 16 to March 11, 1890, as also from February 27 to May 23, 1 89 1, he occupied the .same high office while the Earl of Kintore was out of the Province. A few years ago he made a tour round the world, and the instructive and entertaining articles he supplied to a local newspaper are well remembered by the public. Those who heard him speak at a banquet of the Cornish Society in 1890 were treated to a delightful display of eloquence, which stirred the very de])ths of memory of many patriotic and devoted sons of the ancient county. .Sir James Penn Boucaut was decorated with "the K.C.M.G.-ship in January, 1898.