Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/381

 Mr. W.Gilbert ADELAIDE AND VICINITY J3.T have the electors of this district been with him as their representative that they have returned him at each succeeding election. Colonial electors are of such an unstable character that the representative of any one district must be exceedingly worthy who can retain their confidence for a period of over 20 years. The business (|ualities and excellent common-sense of Mr. Gilbert were rapidly made apparent to his brother legislators, and he has sat on a large number of Royal Commissions and Committees. In 1882 he was a member of the Royal Commission which advised on the redistribution of electoral districts ; in 1886 he was on the Stores Commission; in 1890 on the Angaston Railway and the Aged Poor Commissions; in 1894 he was on the Blyth-Gladstone Railway and Intercolonial Free Trade Commissions; and in 1897 he was a member of the Northern Territory Commission. With Sir John Colton and Mr. M. Salom, he is one of the three Charity Commissioners. In 1894 he was successful in carrying a motion to remove the Royal Agricultural Society from the old grounds to the new Exhibition and Grounds. These varied enquiring and advisory duties demanded a vast amount of work and, because of their diverse nature, of researchful knowledge. In gathering evidence, and in weighing and sifting it, Mr. Gilbert was always businesslike and judicial ; and his discrimination greatly assisted the labors of these bodies. An ardent religionist, he was successful, in 1883, in having the Totalisator Act repealed; but three years later, in 1886, another lotalisator Bill was introduced and carried. In 1890 a long debate took place on a motion by Mr. Gilbert to secure Bible-reading in .State schools. The whole Province was excited over this controversial subject ; but the proposal was negatived. Upon another occasion Mr. Gilbert unsuccessfully sought to remove the bar preventing ministers of religion from sitting in Parliament. At different times Mr. Gilbert has been offered portfolios, but he does not pine for the glamor of office, preferring rather to serve his constituents and the Province as a private member. The commercial mind is more valuable to a young country than the oratorical ; it is, indeed, a pity that Mr. Gilbert has not seen his way clear to accept a portfolio. He has been Chairman of the Country Party in the Assembly for some years. Of non-political public positions Mr. Gilbert has filled (juite a variety. He has been for many years associated with the Chambers of Commerce and Manufectures, acting on the committees of both. For ten years he has been a trustee of the Savings Bank. He is a member of the Licensing Bench, and has been three years President of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia. For ten years he was a member of the Hospital Board and of the Destitute Board. He is at present a member of the committees of the Children's Hospital, North Adelaide Institute, City Mission, Aborigines' Mission, and Industrial School for the Blind. He has been President of the Baptist Union, and President and Treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association, as also a vice-president of the S. A. Cricketing Association from its inception. As has been stated, to religious and philanthropic matters Mr. Gilbert has always given devotion ; and it may be said that the years of his life in South Australia have been busy and devoted to the public good, for which he has received no remuneration whatever, except as member of Parliament, and he opposed that proposal when it was i:)rought forward. During the last 20 years few public men have occupied so many important positions, and for his many sterling ciualities he is highly esteemed by a very wide circle in the Province.