Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/382

 356 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr. James Hague, M.P. FEW districts in South Australia are so picturesque as that of Harossa, which Mr. Hague represents in the House of Assembly. It embraces some of the best farming- localities, the richest fruit and wine-producing districts, and the sweetest types of Australian scenery — the rolling hills, the rugg(d eucalypt, and the meandering creek. In its time, too, the Barossa district has returned to Parliament some of the greatest men the Province has seen, such as Sir R. C. Raker, .Sir John Downer, and Messrs. J. H. Angas, W. Duffield, and J. Martin. It also contains the important town of Gawler, now the centre of the machine and locomotive manufacturing industry of the Province, and at one time known as " the South Australian Athens," owing to the residence there of several men of literary ability. To main- tain the traditions of the district Mr. Hague had an uphill fight ; but it is only simple justice to say that, de.spite the brilliancy of intellect which distinguished some of his predecessors, the present representative of Barossa has well upheld its reputation for returning able and worthy men to the Legislature. Hammer & Co., Fhuto J ames Hague was born in Manchester in 1834, and, upon the advice of friends, came to South Australia in 1855 with his brother Edward. Both carried letters of introduction to residents in the Angaston District, whither they proceeded on their arrival. After following several pursuits, in the manner of all young new-comers to Australia, Mr. James Hague opened in business as a general storekeeper, and later on his brother joined him, and the present firm of J. & E. Hague was established. There is no business house better known in the Angaston country than this, and, as all admit who are acquainted with its methods, it has been a decided benefit to the district. Mr. James Hague has long been prominently associated with the [)ublic interests (^1 Angaston, and earned a praiseworthy record.