Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/318

 292 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY sir S. Davenport was struck with the superabundant growth of fruit alon<;^ the coast of the Mediterranean, and he set himself the task of an exhaustive examination into the methods there prevalent of vine, orange, olive, almond, and citron culture. The study was congenial to his inclinations, for Sir Samuel had already resolved on the pursuit of the horticultural industry immediately he became possessed of sufficient knowledge in regard to it. The information he reaped in connection with these investigations proved exceedingly valuable in his subsequent efforts and endeavors in this Province. Meanwhile, his brother, Mr. G. F. I)aven|K)rl had visited South Australia in 1839, and purchased a special survey, the township of which he named Macclesfield, and .Samuel, on his return to England, decided to follow in his wake. On his arrival in this Province early in ICS43, he proceeded to the M.icclesfield district, where he was one of the (.-arliest settlers. His first venture was sheep-farming, which at that time was almost the only remunerative form of industry in. the Province. His stock and acreage kept pace with his success in this direction, and, ere a few years had elapsed, the subject of this notice was the possessor of an extensive squatting estate. In 1846 and 1847, on the appointment by Governor Robe, Sir Samuel Davenport sat as one of the non-official members of the then Legislative Council, This was Mr. Davenport's first introduction to public life. In connection with his legislative duties, it has often been recorded of him that he was wont to ride from his home in Macclesfield to the Upper Chamber in Adelaide, a distance of 27 miles, attend to his duties in the Council, and, after a long and tedious sitting, mount his horse and ride back again. .Such a display of energy and devotion to public duty is not often met with in these times. These were the days when the Province knew no Road Boards. Each wayfarer and traveller had to cut his own path and fashion his own track ; and in these circumstances it was well Mr. Davenport was a skilled horseman. No doubt his experiences in these long and lonely rides instilled into him some of the zeal he afterwards so conspicuously displayed in seeking and .securing the improvement of the highways of the Province. The wide knowledge of the country that he had gained from frecjucnt journeys through the districts adjoining Adelaide proved of immea.surable value afterwards in the drawing up of schemes with this object. .Sir Samuel's experience was one of the best charts available for a guide. As an explorer of the pioneering pastoralist type, he did great .service in the opening up of new country. He was one of the first .settlers to cross the Murray with stock, and, after getting down as far as Rivoli Bay, he tried to extend his operations, with rather disastrous results, however, for he lost some thousands of sheej) from an imknown local disease, since called "coastal," as well as through the spears and robberies of the aborigines, for protection against whom each flock was double manned by armed shepherds, and aided by a mounted man, also armed, whose rapid and unexpected movements did much to .scare the natives. These evils were afterwards better controlled by substituting cattle and horses for sheep. At a subsequent date, however, his indefatigable energy succeeded in achieving the desired end. In the bush he was ever brave and fearless, and his eagerness to open up outlying territory for the benefit of the Province reflects his patriotic regard for his adopted country. The interests of others were never sacrificed in favor of his own. Having acted as honorary .secretary of an Adelaide committee formed