Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/395

 M-^c.Tacker ADELAIDE' AND VICINITY 369 defeated the former occupant of the chair, the Hon. Charles Willcox, M.L.C., by nearly 600 votes. A good understanding with the citizens reigned sufficiently strong to enable Mr. Tucker to gain the distinction of being returned for the mayoralty in the next two successixe years, 1896 and 1897. For the fourth time (1897-8) Mr. Tucker was return(d to the Mayoralty by a large majority. One has only to recount the numerous honorary functions connected with the Mayoral office to show that the position is a highly responsible one Probably he could have retained his Mayoralty for 1898-99, but that he refused nomination feeling that four years was the limit that one man should occupy the position. He, however, still retained his membership of the City Council, having been returned as Alderman by a large majority. At the general election of 1899 for the House of Assembly, Mr. Tucker stood for the District of Encounter Bay, and was returned at the head of the poll. A fresh election was, however, declared necessary by the Court of Disputed Returns, owing to a technical breach, by Mr. Tucker, of the electoral code. The electors, however, showed their C(}nfidence in their selection by returning him at the head of the poll. Mr. Tucker repre.sents the Government on the Fire Brigades Board, having been a member of this institution since its inception. With educational matters he has kept closely in touch. He was one of the fu'st two members elected to the School Board of Advice in Port Adelaide, and by virtue of his polling the highest number of votes he ranked as senit)r member. Ultimately the Downer Government appointed him their representative on the Board, and he was made Chairman in the place of Mr. David Bower. He subsequently resigned that position on removing to Adelaide. Mr. Tucker's patriotism has also been keenly marked by the lively interest he took in every organisation that had the welfare of the Proince as its prime object. Mr. Tucker has warmly espoused the cause of the Australian Natives' Association for many years, and perhaps it was in consideration of this enthusiastic advocacy that he was appointed first President of the Port Adelaide branch. When, too, at a later |)eriod, the Interc(jlonial Conference of this Association was held in Melbourne, Mr. Tucker was chosen as a delegate to represent South Australia at this important gathering. Mr. Tucker was Vice-president of the Municipal Association in 1891, and in 1894 became its president. He is a Governor of the Botanic Gardens Board, a Commissioner of the National Park Board, Chairman of the Hosj)ital Board, a member of the Zoological Gardens Board, and a member of the Adelaide Licensing Bench. Charitable organisations and eleemosynary institutions have found in Mr. Tucker not only a genuine and generous supporter in the way of monetary disbiirsements, but also an ardent and sympathetic worker in the cause. A few of these compassionate societies are :- I'he Christmas Cheer Fund, Sick Poor Fund, Prisoners' Aid Association, Distressed Women and Children's Fund, Strano-ers' Benevolent Society, and the Home for Weak-minded Children. The liberalitv of Mr. Tucker to deserving causes of all kinds reflects great credit on his sympathetic disposition. Mr. Tucker has repeatedly displayed his enthusiasm for sport and athletic exercise. He is president, patron, and supporter of many sporting clubs. His liberality is ubiquitous, and widely appreciated throughout the city of Adelaide. During Mr. Tucker's term of