Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/394

 368 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr. C. Tucker rcsponsibU.' one. But Mr. Tucker was too progressive and energetic to remain long in subservience to any superior command. With his limited monetary accumulations, he started in partnership with Mr. Malpas, and this firm trad(d under the name of Malpas and Co., shipping and customs agents. About si.x months after the deeds of partnership had been sealed, the combination dissolved, and Mr. Tucker remained to carry on the business alone. His success compared favorably with others in a similar capacity, and was fairly proportionate to the volume of trade passing at the time. Mining, with its galleries of goldtMi hopes, was already opening a new era in the history of the Province, and its attractions magnetised the youth and energy of South Australia. Mr. Tucker forsook his agency establishment, and trudged into the interior. In conjunction with Mr. Fred. Ayers. Mr. Blades, and Mr. Gall, he erected the first battery on a mining claim in the North-East. Mr. 7 ticker's power of ada[)tability to the exigencies of his environment, and his unflagging courage in the bush, ably seconded his prospecting abilities. He was one of the early pioneers of the Mannahill mining district — a territory which po.sse.ssed claims to auriferous plenitude. The Trinity Mutooroo Copper Mine, on the borders of South Australia and New South Wales, was opened up by him shortly after these prospecting expeditions; and this property he continued to own. Mining, indeed, in its various forms and aspects, seemed to be the sphere for which Mr. Tucker was most suited. But Mr. Tucker does not let his wheels run in only one groove. With his brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Brown, he is the proprietor of the Nullarbor (treeless) Plains Sheep Station — one of the largest pastoral properties in South Australia, with a full complement of stock. He has also been interested in other ventures. Often have Mr. Tucker's services been sought for boards and committees of various kinds. His career reflects the possession of many useful qualities necessary to ensure success in the world. The year 1889 was the first in which Mr. Tucker appeared on the stage of public life. He stood as candidate for the councillorshi[) of the East Ward of Port Adelaide, and was returned. He remained in this capacity for fifteen months, faithfully endeavoring to minister to the wants of his ward and the whole municipality. It was soon recognised by an observant public that Mr. Tucker was a capable adviser and municipal legislator. His tact and moderation demonstrated his fitness for the administration of the duties of a higher po.sition. For the last twelve months of his connection with the Port Council he acted as Mayor's Delegate to the Municipal Association. On the expiry of that time a combination of circum.stances necessitated the inhabitants of the Port choosing another Mayor; and it was gratifying to those who were watching Mr. Tucker's career to see him elevated to the chief civic post. The town of Port Adelaide retained his services as Mayor for three consecutive years, and throughout this period he acted with persevering energy and resourceful tact in the execution of the varied functions of his ofifice. Mr. 1 ucker acceded to .several requisitions of influential citizens to stand as Alderman for the city of Adelaide. His decision was happy, for the success of this step brought in its train con.sequences of further exaltation. He was elected Alderman on December i, 1893, the votes recorded in his favor exceeding by 800 the largest obtained in any similar election. After a year's service as Alderman he stood for the Mayoralty, and