Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/362

 OJ^ ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. John Lewis, M.L.C. JUDGING from those who survive, the men who excelled in forcing a path through the monotonous labyrinths of the Australian bush, thirty, forty, and fifty years ago, possessed gifts and characteristics which fitted them to forge their way in the important grades of industrial pursuits. The sturdy qualities which a man must possess who voluntarily shuts himself out from the world and settles down to life work on lonely, untrodden expanses, could be applied as successfully in other fields. It was only the fearless, the strong - minded and able - bodied, who could hope to succeed in the pioneering work of opening up a new country. Among this sturdy class in South Australia is Mr. John Lewis, a somewhat recent addition to the members of the Legisla- tive Couilcil of the Province. He was born at Brighton (S.A.), in 1842, and is the son of one of the earliest pioneers of South Australia, the late Mr. James Lewis. After leaving school, young Lewis worked with his father at Richmond Farm, near Adelaide, whence he proceeded into the back country and was engaged in various pursuits con- nected with the occupation of the land. At that period much Hammer & Co., Photo northem country now settled was untrodden ; but a sturdy band of squatters was constantly pushing further back into unknown territory. Mr. Lewis performed a share in this developmental work, antl in 1 87 1 he struck out on a yet bolder task than he had previously essayed. A few travellers had followed .Stuart after his journey overland from the southern to the northern coast, and the Government was engaged in constructing the Overland Telegraph line. But next to nothing was known of the interior vastness, and very few private parties had been courageous enough to explore it. Warburton, Forrest, and Giles had not yet