Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/339

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 313 The late Hon. Sir William Milne AMONG the names distinguished in South Australian history, Sir William Milne's is not the least. Arrivincr in the Province less than three years after its proclamation, he was at first prominently associated with business affairs. Upon the inauguration of responsible government he entered Parliament, and pursued an extensive and successful career as a Minister of the Crown. His name was one of the most familiar among the veteran settlers, and a sketch of his life will be interesting, not only to them, but to the younger members of the community as well. He was the eldest son of Mr. William Milne, ot West Common, near Glasgow, and was born on May 17, [822. His father was a Cilasgow merchant. L'pon leaving the High School, the young man was engaged for some years in his ])arent's office. He left Scotland in 1839, for the then recently established Province of .South Australia, and landed at Holdfast Pay on October 29 of that year, from the barque Palmyra. A few lightly-stocked pastoral stations were already in existence, and upon one of these the young colonist gained a useful experience. Put at this time the prospects of the little community were very pfloomv, and soon a financial cataclysm caused a serious exodus of people. In i8,|2 Mr. Milne went 10 Hobari, Tasmania, to fill an appointment in the Commissariat Department. Happily, he did not elect to settle permanendy in the island colony, but, after three years, returned to South Australia. Having entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, he founded a wine and spirit connection in Adelaide. He afterwards took over the business of the late Mr. Patrick Auld. His ventures were so successful that in 1857 he sold his business and retired. The story of his connection with commercial affairs is short, as his rise and retirement were rapid. When responsible government was inaugurated he was elected one of the pioneer Snlumon, Photo