Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/368

 342 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. John Lancelot Stirling, B.A., LL.B., M.L.C. THE subject of this notice, second son of the late Mr. E. Stirhng, was born at Strathalbyn in 1849. He received his preliminary education at St. Peter's Colleoe, Adelaide, and then, after two years spent on the Continent, he proceeded to England, where he entered at Trinity Colleg(, Cambridge. In 1871 he took the degrees of B.A. and LL.B. He also distinguished himself as an athlete. He won the Oxford and Cambridge Hurdle Race in record time, and held the amateur championship of England for hurdle racing in 1870 and in 187 1. Leaving the University Mr. Stirling studied for the Bar, and in 1872 was called to the Inner Temple. Contrary to expectation, he did not, however, devote himself to the law ; the free, active arena in which he was cradled was more attractive to him. He returned to .South Australia in 1876, and entered into pastoral pursuits. Besides holding a considerable area of country in South Australia and New .South Wales, he is one of the prominent ]>astoralists of the Province, and has been President of the Pastoralists' Association of South Australia and West Darling since its formation, besides representing this as.sociati<m at the federal conferences held in the various colonies. He is largely interested in a number of Adelaide financial institutions, is a Director of John Hill & Co., of the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining Company, the Australian Mutual Provident Society, the Mortgage Company of S. A., and of the South Australian Company. He is an ex-President and a Committeeman of the Royal Agricultural Society. He has been for some years Chairman of the Strathalbyn District Council. As befitted one of his attainments and position, the Hon. J. L. Stirling has become a politician of reputation and experience. For many years he has been recognised as a reliable legislator who possesses a clear insight and a ready gift of speech. He was elected for Mount Barker to the Legislative Assembly in 1881, and was returned at the head of the poll in 1884. He was defeated in 1887 by Dr. Cockburn ; but in May, 1888, at a bye-election caused by the death of .Sir R. D. Ross, he was elected for the district of Gumeracha. He retired from the Lower House in 1890, but in the same year became a member of the Legislative Council for the Southern District, which he continues to represent. The Hon. J. L. .Stirling is not afraid of expressing his political convictions, no matter whether they be against the popular cry. He has very substantially influenced legislation, and has sponsored several useful measures. He has naturally taken much interest in the pastoral legislation of South Australia, and his experience has enabled him to urge on Parliament for many years the necessity of liberal measures in order to preserve vitality in this important indu.stry. He acted on the Royal Commission on pastoral matters on whcse report the Bill of 1898 was founded. He is a member of committee and also .steward in the South Australian Jockey Club, as well as associated with several other racing clubs. He is an ex-Master of the Hunt Club, acted as Hon. Judge for the South Australian Coursing Club, and was the founder, and for years the captain, of the Adelaide Polo Club, playing for South Australia in most of the intercolonial and other matches. The opinions of the Hon. J. L. Stirling carry great weight in the community. His solid views, his social position, and his talents constitute him one of our most influential residents.