Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/312

 286 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY w The late Sir Henry Ayers, G.C.M.G. HEN Sir Henry Ayers died on June i i, 1897, South Australia lost one of its most notable men. He was one of those links connecting early days with more modern times. Sir Henry's record of ser'ice to the State ranks prominently in the annals of South Australian history. For 36 years he was a prominent figure in politics, and for a quarter of a century he was a moving force in the country's government. His public career began when the Province was first cradled in responsible government, and he was seven times Premier, 1 1 times a Cabinet Minister, and for 1 2 years President of the Legislative Council. Sir Henry Ayers was born at Portsea, England, on May 1, 182 1. He was educated to the law, and left for South Australia in 1840, only four years after the Province's proclamation. He followed his profession in the office of the late Mr. J. H. Richman and the late Sir James Hurtle Fisher, the latter the first President of the Legislative Council after it became an elective body. In April, 1845, Sir Henry was appointed Secretary of the South Australian Mining Associa- tion, and for many years he discharged the duties appertaining to this post with admirable business ability. When the Burra Hurra Copper Mine was discovered in April, 1845, he became prominendy associated with its interests. He firmly believed in its value, and invested accordingly. His faith was amply rewarded, and with enlarged means he was soon engaged in financial pursuits of considerable magnitude. He earned a reputation as a financier and financial adviser, and as one gifted with diplomacy, shrewd penetration, and a genuine spirit of enterprise. Right up to the time of his death .Sir Henry was actively interested in financial affairs in South Australia, a;nd promoted many of the sound trading institutions of to-day. One work of his, of which he was justly proud, was the .Savings Bank. He was a trustee of this institution for 40 Hammer & Co., Photo