Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/363

 Hon. J. Lewis ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 2,?>7 trodden the immense silent deserts between South Australia and the western coast of the Continent. Mr. Lewis procured horses and bej^an the formidable task of traversing the desolate interior in order to reach the Northern Territory. While en routi the Government commissioned him to act as estafettc between the constructing parties of the continental telegraph line, and for three months he carried the telegrams from Tennant's Creek to Daly Waters and vice versa. Over the route he had chosen were long stretches of arid country ; but Mr. Lewis was fortunate in having a favorable season for hi.s trip. He eventually reached settlement in the Northern Territory, and this success brought him great kudos. He remained on the northern coast for about five vears, engaged in mining, exploring, and in various other businesses. Substantially the Northern Territory had to be opened up, and several enterprising individuals joined with Mr. Lewis in this large undertaking. The country was fairly populated with aborigines, who in certain localities were untrustworthy and even dangerous. Several of the explorers were attacked by them, but Mr. Lewis experienced little trouble at their hands. In 1873 he was sent as leader of a relief party to search for the African explorers, Borrowdale and Herman, who were lost between Port Darwin and Port Ussington. Mr. Lewis is the only man who has travelled overland from Melbourne to Vashon Head, Coburg Peninsula, goino- from extreme south to extreme north of the Australian Continent. After many interesting and entertaining experiences in the far north, he returned to Adelaide in 1876, when he devoted himself to commercial pursuits. He joined Mr. W. Liston and Mr. J. Shakes in the stock and station business; and, having opened a branch at Kooringa, most of his subsequent career has been spent in the northern districts in supervising the operations of the firm in that part. The enterprise became; extensive, and many notable stock sales have been conducted by the firm, especially at the Burra. Recognised as one of the best judges of stock in the Province, Mr. Lewis is a successful salesman ; and he is credited with having conducted one of the largest stock sales ever held in Australia, disposing of 47,000 sheep and 1,200 head of cattle in one market. A few years ago the firm was amalgamated with G. W. Bagot, and incorporated under the name of Bagot, Shakes, & Lewis, Ltd., and it now conducts one of the largest stock and station agency businesses in South Australia, Mr. Lewis being one of the managing directors. He is largely interested in station properties, and frequently officiates at agricultural shows as judge of horses, cattle, and sheep. Mr. Lewis has had three years' exi)erience in municipal matters ; and he was [chairman of the Burra branch ol the Agricultural Bureau for many years. He is a devoted 'florist, and noted for his encouragement of the growth of chrysanthemums. He was President of the South Australian Horticultural and Eloricultural Society for 1899. Being fond of outdoor sports, he, as a young man, was often found riding in steeplechases and [following the hounds, and later was an enthusiastic polo-player, having been for 12 years President of the Burra Burra Polo Club, only resigning that position in 1899. In June, 1898, he was elected by the NorthTvistern District as a member of J the Legislative Council, of which body he is still a member.